For the last few weeks God has been preparing my heart even as I felt a spirit of darkness around me. As I was confronted with truth I was tempted by evil I knew that I change was upon my horizon, yet I had no idea what such change I would confront. God began to speak to me through my Father, through my children, through my pain, sorrow and even in the midst of my sin.

Almost a year ago the same voice, the same struggle and the same uncertainty was alive in my life.  At the time I was working at an Indian Casino as a manager while living a life of addiction and lies and knew then that a change was about to occur.  The change came and it was in the form of a new opportunity.  An opportunity to turn away from my addictions and to live a life of leadership.  As this new job took place and as The Downtown Eatery began to take life, my life continued to fall apart.  A spirit of darkness haunting myself, my wife and seeking to destroy the lives of my children.  Through drug addictions, rehab, children in the hospital, car accidents, poor financial choices and a poor lifestyle choices overall, things did not appear that they could get any worse.  Last week the enemy had his way with me, speaking death through people, tormenting my mind body and soul.  In the midst of this sinking pit when hope seemed like a distant idea, the Spirit of the Lord began to speak to me,  God was showing me that he was with me, through his sons suffering there is understanding when all seems lost.

Last night I was given the news that the restaurant that I have worked so hard to see come to life is cutting back, and that myself, several close friends and even family members were being let go.  A choice that makes no sense whatsoever to me has been made and there is nothing I can do about it.  

This is the point where I should be angry, upset, confused and fearful and yet, I feel at peace in knowing that in this time of struggle and uncertainty the Lord has prepared a place for me.  God literally prepared my heart for what was to come and I truly feel will guide me into a place of peace. 

(my 17 year old sister sent me this verse the day that I found out I was being let go).

2 Corinthians 6

As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says,
"In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you."I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Paul's Hardships
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.