Just Gene!

I am writing this post not to lessen the pain of others, but just to get out my thoughts about Gene and what he met to me. To talk of the building of a great yet short relationship. And to hopefully express the grand plan that was set into motion by none other than our creator. I am only going to start with when I came into the picture, but I want to make known it started long before that!
I met Gene right before I started working in the office (July, 2009), it was not known by a lot of us at church because he only came in during the weekdays (Monday-Wednesday-Friday) for community service. (Pastor Judy and her friend Sue... Sue works for Cedar Valley Care Services, she asked Judy if he could do his community service at the church.) Shortly after Dennis had gotten out of jail and needed to do some community service, so I picked him up on my way in... It becomes something so grand when I look back, God is so awsome!!! He took the convsations that Dennis and I had and opened Gene up after years and years of pain and suffering... Dennis and I really have nothing to do with it, it was all God! But God did use us for His purpose.
One day I was opening up a classroom for Dennis to clean, he looked at me and asked me how I could forgive the people that hurt me so bad... I had no choice but to tell him the truth... I told him God took it from me. And I refused to hang on to it any more. I came to a point where I realized I was staying a victim if I did. I had to give it to God. I had a opportunity to invite me to church! I listened and obeyed!! I asked, he said he would come, but buses didn't run on Sunday and services couldn't bring him. I told him I would look for ride for him.
It isn't a easy task to find someone at church who for one even drive, two has a car, three isn't burned out from driving so many others, and because of the distance away he lived... It took awhile, it came down to Pastor George picking him up in the morning, and we would run him home after service... OH he was so happy!! After about 2 times there was a Sunday George didn't get him picked up (he was so busy), Gene called me and said he was sitting at the window waiting like a puppy in a pet shop. George didn't forget him after that. LOL!
Then there came a Monday that Gene told me that after Judy's sermon he really wanted to go up to the front (alter call) but he was afraid to go up by himself. Dennis said "Well... if thats why you didn't I will go up with you!" So funny!!! All week, he spent talking about how he was going to go up to the front on Sunday, and Dennis said he would go with him! Sunday came, He said he was nervous... we comforted him and told him it would be alright... I don't think he was even able to listen to the sermon Judy gave that day!! LOL! But OH, I tell you what, the Holy Spirit didn't let that stop what was happening, and that day... OH that day... there were so many that came to Christ!! For some reason I remember to music still being played... my heart was singing!! Tears were running down my face... and then... here came Gene Gene up the center isle, holding Dennis's hand... once up front he went down to his knees right in front of Judy... Dennis got down with him... and prayed with him!!! Oh, it was so beautiful!! I still am crying... with JOY!!! Oh, it was awsome!!
Next came his baptism... Again Gene Gene was very nervous... again Dennis said he would go up with him if he wanted him to... He even told him he would get in the tank with him if he wanted!!! LOL!!! God was shining through Gene that day... He was smiling.... really full of joy... You could see it... I will never
forget!!!
He wanted to read his bible more often but he said it was to small of print... so guess what we got him for Christmas... Yea we got him a large print bible! And he did use it? Yep he did!! There was one night he called me and he was worried on whether he had did the right thing or not... He had a couple of men come to the door and ask him if they could come in and talk to him about his faith... He told me he had told them no... was that o.k.?... Just a little earlier I was reading in 2 John... I was driving and couldn't remember exactly what it said so I made him look it up and read it to me... 2 John verses 4-11, take note of verse 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring His teaching, do not recievehim into your house or give him any greeting,..." I asked him what he thought about that. LOL!!! He said it was like it was talking to him!!! LOL!!!
And just recently, about 3 weeks ago I think, we were in class, I don't remember which one, but I was seeing by him and he told everyone he was laying in bed the night before and he was talking to God, and he forgave the people who had hurt him!!! Remember that first question he had asked me?!!! Yea, I teared up... Isn't God awsome!!!
Gene Gene is living proof!!!! I feel so blessed to just be a short part in his life!!! I have no regrets!!! And just knowing that obeying my Father played such a important part in his death... Praise be to God!!!!
Now I ask for the knowledge and depth of insight needed in building those same bonds with Gene Gene's family. And may God give me the strength and courage to carry that out!!! Praise be to God!!!