Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1512449
Chaplain's Corner: God's Providence or Being Where He Wants You Tom & Dee Sanchez As we write this, it is late October and the Mid-Atlantic Black Sheep Rally is happening. Due to circumstances at work and at church Dee and I were not able to attend. It was very disappointing! We longed to be with our Black Sheep friends and family. We know the time together would have been special – the devotions, the rides, the time hanging out with others who share the same spirit and passion. We were not happy about missing the event, but little did we know that God had a bigger purpose and plan in mind for us. (God doesn't always reveal that to us, but once-in-a-while...He does!) As you may know, for the last ten years Dee has been battling breast cancer. This trial led us to riding motorcycles and being involved in the Black Sheep motorcycle ministry. During that time, we have grown immensely! Dee has counseled and helped hundreds of women dealing with breast cancer. She has spoken at civic events, churches and community groups. She has shared her story, her faith, and her trust in Christ which has helped her through this. And through her journey and our involvement with motorcycles, we have shared Christ with so many people that we never would have encountered if it hadn't been for the cancer. Now, don't misunderstand what I am saying. We don't believe God WANTED Dee to have cancer, but He allows things in this world and uses them to build us into who He wants us to be…examples of Christ. This brings me back to the subject of the Mid-Atlantic Rally. The days leading up to the event became hard for us. Dee's oldest sister had begun her own battle with breast cancer about 2 years ago. The weekend before the North Carolina event, Dee's sister's health took a turn for the worse. On that Wednesday, when the Black Sheep were meeting in Hickory to start their time together, we received word that Dee's sister was to be sent home to hospice care to live out her few remaining days. Needless to say, Dee needed to be with her family. The next morning, she packed up her stuff and drove to Maryland to be with them. The years of experience that God had given her were so that she would be able to serve her own family – her mom, dad, brother-in-law, nephews and sisters in a way that can only be considered God's providence. He knew before we did that Dee would need to be the caregiver to her family in their time of need. She would understand what the doctors were saying when others were still reeling from the reality of the situation. She would understand what her sister needed as she moved from hospital to hospice. She needed to be there to put her arms around each member of the family and just sit, or cry, or even laugh with them. What about you? Are you where God wants you to be? Often we don't understand why God allows things – bad things – to happen to us. We don't understand why God puts us in certain situations or circumstances, but if we trust in Him, we can rest in the knowledge that He knows what He's doing – that He has a purpose. And, even if He doesn't share the WHY with us, we can always know that GOD is in control. May that be a comfort to you as it was and is for us. A few days after writing this, Dee's sister went home to be with the LORD. We will spend Thanksgiving burying her sister and comforting the family. We are grateful for our Black Sheep family who have sent comfort to us in this time as well. Be where God wants you to be. Do what God has called you to do. You'll never know, this side of heaven, what it means to others around you. a Our Members Ride! Linda Carter/CA Bernie Clower/NC Jared Critter Grime/NC Jeremy West/TX Send your best riding photos to SlowDog@bshdfc.org ...and we'll make you famous!