In šāʾ Allāh

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This blog post is inspired by Eric's best friend Jon Matthews, and the title just happens to encompass the recent events in our lives as well.

Jon and Eric have known each other since 'Grandma' Seger's daycare, dating back to roughly 1985. Eric was about twice the size of an average preschooler, but Jon was never afraid, and quickly became one of his best friends. That's 'our Jonny' for you... fearless.

After graduating college, Jon became an officer in the marines, following a long standing family tradition of military excellence including a grandfather that is rumored to have landed on the beaches of Normandy. Jon is now facing his second deployment in his career as a marine, a choice that he made above and beyond what he had signed on for. If you asked him, I'm guessing he would tell you that he felt it was God's will for him to fight as a soldier, and he is simply obeying the plan that God has for his life.

When Jon visited us for a couple days after his first deployment in Iraq, he told us about the phrase 'In šāʾ Allāh,' pronounced 'en shallah,' which was stated frequently by the Iraqi soldiers. The phrase translates into English as "God willing" or "If it is God's will" and was the reply to almost any action or decision that was going to be made in the future (even carrying out commands, humorously enough). Although we hold vastly different religious beliefs, we can relate to this idea in our lives, and even in the Bible.

The Bible says 'Now listen, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money" Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:13-16)

We have all been guilty of trying to map out our own plan for life and God reminds us gently that if our plans don't start with Him, than they will most likely end up flat on their face. So today, we remember to take the time to say - 'If it is God's will'- (and mean it :) before stepping forward with each passing day.

Here's a salute to Jon (and his beautiful wife Vanessa) as he prepares to leave for Afghanistan in the first week of April. Thank you for fighting for our country and here's to you fearlessly living out your faith in God.

Please pray for Jon's safety and strength, as well as his wife Vanessa, and his entire family as they trust God's goodness in this trial. 'God is good, all the time, and all the time God is good!'