MIKE

Through the years, especially since having a family I have tried to find ways to make extra money. Usually I do it and it doesn’t work, or it wasn’t something I should have done in the first place. So it seemed quite natural to talk to a friend while I was at graduate school about his thing he had going--refilling candy machines in the area on a regular basis. It appeared legitimate and I wanted to get started, but something told me not so fast. Around a corner from the basement apartment we were renting was a road that went in between two apple orchards. I lived in the “Fruit Belt” of southwest Michigan with fruit orchards and vineyards all along the countryside. In order to keep myself from getting burned out from all the schoolwork, walking was vitally important, especially down this lonely road where, when I talked out loud to God, no one was usually near to hear the conversations. Early one morning I had made the turn back toward home and we were talking about this potential candy machine venture. I plainly asked, “Do You want me to do this?” And if the actual physical body of the Father Himself was there, I would have heard the word: “No.” It was as plain as the daylight I was in--God has spoken and He didn’t want me refilling candy machines. The walk home was the most peaceful walk I had taken in a long time. I’m here to tell you that when you hear God speak with that kind of clarity--and you obey what is said--there is no peace like that!