Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
John 13:7
My neighbor Jack, lived directly across the street from me. Initially, all I really knew about him was that he was 87-years-old and was fighting stage four Pancreatic Cancer. It wasn’t until a global pandemic that we became more than just “wave hello neighbors”. Little did I know that God was going to use this man not only to encourage me, but to change the trajectory of my life completely.
Our friendship began during Covid. Jack would open his garage door for a few hours each day to take in our beautiful Camarillo weather, while doing a jigsaw puzzle on a card table placed in the center of his garage. At the time, I was caring for my mom and attempting to write a book about intensely personal testimonies and how God’s Word was very Real to Me. Taking numerous walks a day was a way for me to get some fresh air and a fresh perspective on the path before me.
Stopping at Jack’s puzzle table and feeling the satisfaction of locking in a piece or two became part of my daily routine. We eventually grew quite comfortable with each other. He would share stories about his early years and the sweet memories he had of his late wife. I would share with him the stories that I was working to put into print (partially because I wanted to see a strangers reaction to what I was about to make public). Jack was intrigued and boldly decided, “When you finish publishing your book, I’m going to buy the first copy.” While this elderly-widowed man was not who I envisioned as my target audience, I knew he genuinely wanted to read whatever it was I had to write about. We clearly both enjoyed our time and our talks, and despite the newness of our friendship, I sensed that he was genuinely proud of me. Having lost my dad in 2016, Jack was a God-send that encouraged me in a way that I knew my own dad would have if he were still here. Jack kinda reminded me of my dad too, especially the way he loved and cared for his wife. I felt so grateful to have this fatherly encouragement throughout my writing process.
After many months of walks and talks and puzzle locking, my book was written, published, and delivered to his doorstep. True to my word, Jack was my first patron. Now, as I set out on my walk each day, fan-boy-Jack would yell out supportive comments from across the street. My favorite was,“There’s the girl who’s keeping me up at night” (haha not sure how the other neighbors interpreted this… I was just thrilled he was actually reading it).
When Jack got about halfway through the book, he told me he wanted to give me something that belonged to his late wife. He handed me a music box that had the poem Footprints on it. He said that after reading my reference to this poem in my book, he knew his wife would want me to have it. I wound it up from the backside and out chimed the tune Amazing Grace.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized how amazingly gracious God was to put this father-figure (quite literally) on my path, encouraging me to share my heart and stories with the world.
Knowing that Jack wanted me to have something so precious to him, also meant that God had used me to touch and impact the heart of one of my readers. In my opinion, there is no greater gift an author can receive. Right then I knew, I don’t need to have a Best Seller to be a success. My greatest joy will come from touching one heart at a time with what God has given me.
After Jack finished my book, unbeknown to us, God had yet another plan for our meeting. Jack said, “You are such a lovely lady, you should go on that E-Harmony and meet a nice guy. My grandson met a great gal on there and he’s happily married with 2 kids now.”
Truthfully, I had not had much success with on-line dating in the past. In fact, it brought to mind an interaction with a guy from Plenty of Frogs excuse me, Plenty of Fish who once asked, “Will you send me a ponytail in pajamas pic?” (Yes, he really did text me that!) Before blocking him to avoid any further contact, I sent him this screenshot via Google:
Probably not the ponytail in pajamas he was hoping for, but the teacher in me felt the need to school him on how mismatched we truly were, while also getting in the last word image.
“Match-dot-Bomb” and “Christian Mingle … no thx I’ll stay Single” weren’t much better. But after detoxing from these sites for a number of years, perhaps I’d grown in wisdom and discernment when it came to quickly eliminating the frogs from the fish. Plus, I had heard that E-Harmony had the best algorithm for successfully matching couples together. Furthermore, how often does an 86-year-old man encourage someone to turn to the internet to find love? So I took Jack’s advice and put myself back out there. To my surprise it felt much different. (Probably because I’d been dating Jesus for the last year as I wrote my book.) It had become much easier to see myself through God’s eyes. I finally understood my worth. For me, there would be no more settling, no more compromising, and no more frogs. In fact, for the first time, I was comfortable with the idea of staying single.
When I filled out my on-line profile I realized how blessed and content I was with my life. In the last few years my mom became a treasured friend as I cared for her in the comfort of our home. We loved our community, our church, and opening our door to visitors. Truthfully, I’d already gotten to experience marriage & motherhood, and the joys that come with creating a family. I suddenly felt grateful instead of bitter. For I already had someone who “completed me” with Christ as my life-long companion. So freeing!
… but no sooner did I have this it is well with my soul revelation than I was matched with a fantastic Christian man named Joey. Deep down I had always felt that God would not bring me a suitable husband until I obediently finished revisiting and writing out my story. I now saw how He sovereignly rained scripture over my past and healed me from it’s bondage. I was baggage free and ready to fill my heart and mind with healthier options.
Seven months after meeting… Joey and I were married. (Thank you Jack and thank you Jesus!) The Lord is clever that way, I finally surrender my future and contentment over to Him, then He blesses me with my original heart’s desire – a husband who shares my faith and my future.
On January 24, 2023 Jack passed from this life to the next. Coincidentally my own dad had passed away on January 24, 2016; exactly seven years to the day. As sad as I was to say goodbye to this good neighbor, I couldn’t help but feel incredibly grateful for the impact he made on my life – at just the right time.
Thank you Lord for the unassuming earthly angels you use to equip and inspire us to live out the plans you have for us. I pray that your Amazing Grace is not overlooked, but is seen and felt by all. Amen
As I was finishing up this devotional, I revisited the book of Job in the Bible, which Jack said had inspired him to gift me with the music box. God brought me to this verse that fit perfectly with our story. Once again making His Word so Real to Me…
The one who was dying blessed me: I made the widow’s heart sing.
Job 29:11
Kimberly Preston 
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