Experiencing God's providence

Winding paths of His providence

"You coming right now is providence. This is really incredible," Russ quietly opened with me.

On this Wednesday morning, a young man, Chris, answered the door as I was to meet with Russ at his home.  He is a sophomore at a nearby high school and had some classes with one of my nephews.  

After Chris quietly disappeared downstairs, Russ asked me if I would talk to him. That was the "providence" part.  We would work together.

Chris was on his first day of a 90 day suspension from his high school because of marijuana use apparently just off his high school campus. This status stands unless he enrolls in appropriate classes.  Then, it is a five day suspension.  A second offense is 90 days with the classes, as I understood him as the policy at his school. He may fail his sophomore year.

Umpiring mechanics

I met Russ this spring as he helps me immensely as an umpire trainer.  We met together over coffee several times as he offered to mentor me.  We talk about pregame meetings, game management, rule clarification, and game situations. 

We also talk actively about faith and our journey with the Lord. I attended church with him recently, as he plays piano on their worship team.

Russ came into the kitchen to explain why Chris was there. After briefly sharing with me. Russ invited him to come upstairs to talk with us for about 20 minutes. I was actively praying like crazy as I realized Russ was inviting me into a really vulnerable place with his family.  

"More high school seniors have used marijuana in the past month than have smoked a cigarette, according to a federal study released Tuesday, according to PBS Newshour. 

"The National Institutes of Health's annual Monitoring the Future study has surveyed trends in teen alcohol, tobacco and drug use since 1975. In 2010, marijuana use ticked up slightly while tobacco use stayed steady." 

Want to read more? Check out   PBS Newshour

Whatever numbers we read from multiple sources,  most substance abuse statistics are under-reported.

Chris admitted starting marijuana as an eighth grader a few times and said he was using "a couple times a month."  He knows perhaps 20 acquaintances who are using at least marijuana and five he knows well.  


"Why was this high school being so hardcore about marijuana and drug use?"

It is against the law.  It's illegal. Marijuana impacts ability to make decisions and process for at least a year even after its out of the user's system.  The user has lessened boundaries and is not thinking clearly. 

So, I pressed, "how many "fellow users" would continue being your friends if you or they stopped using?" He pretty quickly agreed they wouldn't likely remain friends as marijuana is what they do together.

"Fellow users" are not friends.

Russ peacefully reminded him being a leader at school starts with saying no. At first, there may be smirks, then respect develops.  You just aren't using. He readily agreed many of his peers are using more than he is.  Chris got caught.

Chris knows how much he is using, whatever he told us.
I wrote out this often used quote and passed it across the table:
"Sin (marijuana) will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay."

Getting caught is either unfair or possibly the greatest blessing in his young life.  Russ and I shared much would be up to his responses and future choices for the rest of his life. 

Later, Russ shared his Dad tells him to get off marijuana but has himself been a heavy marijuana user so Chris get a warped, hypocritical message at home.  A grandfather really struggled with substance abuse, as well. This just might really help Dad do some introspection.

Chris actively listened while looking down and away, at first. Then, it appeared he was actively processing how safe this interview was going to be.  Obvious remorse and solid eye contact developed  as our time passed together.  He was near tears.

Chris took the "sin will take you" quote agreed to let me pray before he left and that was a real blessing.  I think he knows he needs the Lord. We stuck to our 20 minute promise.  I sent him a note to let him know I am cheering for his success.  The next weeks are really critical in his life.