Coping with the loss of someone very close to us is always difficult and Frank attempted to run from God and turn to heavy drinking. Through the patience that God showed to him, Frank has also learned patience.
Through one of my closest friends I came to know Christ
As I grew up, my parents didn't always go to church but they made sure I knew about God and the sacrifice that Jesus had made for us. I remember that when we visited my grandparents they were always keen for me to attend church. My Mom has always been a great influence on me, but my Dad was the center of my world. In 1980, when I was 19, I met a man who would become one of my closest friends. Dennis was an ordained minister, and he never pushed the religion issue on me, but through his friendship I accepted Christ into my life.
Coping with the loss of my father
In 1981 just before Labor Day my Dad was battling cancer for the third time and lost. The hardest thing for me was not his funeral, but the fact that during his illness I watched this 6ft. 200lb. man shrivel down to almost nothing. In order to cope with the loss I turned away from God and dove head first into work and acting in community and regional theatre. It was where I felt the most comfortable. I was also heavily drinking. While I would not have considered myself an alcoholic, I was definitely headed that direction.
Running from God
In the early '80's, I met the woman who would later become my wife. She was a Christian and encouraged me to attend church. I had also met a man while at the Gym. He was in his 60's then, and we struck up a fast friendship. I found out later that he was the Pastor at the church my girlfriend attended. In 1988, my girlfriend and I were married, but I was still running from God.
Starting to listen to God's small quiet voice
That year, due to a run in with seven pints of Guinness in one sitting, a small quiet voice spoke to me and suggested it was time to stop. I did. God gave our first child, a girl, to us in 1993. In 1996, while still running from God I met another person through my work who was also a pastor of a church. He spoke to me often of Jesus and encouraged me to read the Bible. I was still running, but at least I listened.
Renewing my relationship with God
Our second child came in 1999. Our son spent the first three weeks of his life in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I prayed harder than I think I ever had, and thank God my son pulled through. In 2000, a light came on and I decided I needed to get my relationship back with God. Through my wife and family's encouragement, I was baptized in 2001.
Learning to be patient
What had I learned from all this? All my friends had said that God has His hand on me. I learned it was true because during the difficult times of my life He put people in my path to lead me in the right direction. It took quite a while, but now because of what He did for me in my life, I understand patience. My wife and I have been married for 14 years and we are blessed with two children. I still do work in the theatre in addition to my regular job but I am no longer running. I am listening to Him for Guidance.
