Some decisions are too big to flip a coin over and so we pray and plead and ask the big guy for a sign. But in marriage this gets a little murkier when one person clearly hears God and yet their spouse remains unsure.
So is the case in the Keller relationship. We have a big whopper of a choice to make but there has been disparity between the two of us as to when to pull the trigger. I’d tell you what this big superdeeduper decision is but then I might lose my special agent status and possibly compromise national security.
Anyway, God was clear with me on the details but fuzzier with my hubby Tim.
We faced one another sitting Indian style on our bed one night (certainly the best way to compromise) discussing the pros and cons of our issue and Tim suggested we ask for fleece from God.
Now fleece harkens back to the tale of Gideon in the Bible, who asked for a sign from God after an angel appeared asking him to lead the Israelites in battle against the gnarly Midianites who were terrorizing the Israelite people and forcing them to hide in caves after overrunning their country.
Gideon was understandably freaked out at the angel’s suggestion. He promised to obey the command: but before commencing the battle he oh so casually requested a sign from God that the Israelites were certain to win the battle. The sign Gideon asked for was this –that when he laid a fleece of wool on the ground, if the victory was with Israel, then the fleece would be wet and the ground dry.
He placed the wool on the ground, and taking it up the next morning found it wet, although the ground was dry. So he knew God was saying “get your sword out dude.”
But Gideon was still uncertain. He pleaded with God for a second sign. This time the ground was to be wet and the fleece of wool dry. God, who is infinitely more patient than me gave him the desired sign and then Gideon humbly obeyed and went out and kicked some Midianite butt.
Now Tim –just like Gideon –was requesting fleece. It would appear he was simply asking for a sign, but I know my husband and in the back of my mind, I thought, “OK GOD, YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE FLEECE.”
Maybe a stinky sheep wool sweater or a wet stuffed Easter lamb on the lawn would suffice? I know how literal my husband is and all the various ways God was clearly speaking to me weren’t making an impact on him.
So I’m on the freeway a few days later and I glance up at this white van in front of me and the license plate reads, “GOT FLEECE?”
It was my Evan Almighty moment! My burning bush, my donkey talking! YESSSSSS!
Shaking and laughing, I risked peril and near death to reach for my iPhone and snap a few pictures to prove the sign to my husband.
Tim studied the pictures intently that evening and agreed this was indeed a sign. He gave me that wise pastor look, “Sam, clearly God has spoken through a van on the 5 freeway.”
But then Tim (being Tim) smiled at me and said tongue in cheek, “Ok, now we wait for a second sign.”
Jinkies! I know my husband is willing to follow whatever God calls him to do, I mean the man left his six-figure corporate income to go into ministry. But come on…recognize the awesomeness of the van!
But then I am reminded how in marriage we don’t always see eye to eye and his quest for clarity might be a gift from God to balance out my more spontaneous nature.
Ok Jesus, got anymore dry fleece?
