Bob’s first encounter with Spicy was 6 years ago when he first came to youth group. He jokingly put his foot in Bob’s face while he was driving and Bob pretended to throw Spicy’s Jordans out the window. While someone else might have gotten upset to have their shoe about to be taken, Spicy just pulled a roll of 100’s out of his pocket and told Bob he could buy as many new shoes as he wanted. Spicy was the local drug dealer at the time. A lot has changed in 6 years. Once he accepted Christ he stopped dealing but because he had a felony he couldn't get a job. So he has worked with Bob on construction projects over the years. He is also one of our most faithful attendees at Bible study. He has always actively participated but he never shares much about what he is thinking.
He is not cocky but he would admit he is stubborn. As he has grown in his faith he has stopped some habits that he knew God wanted him to give up. However, Spicy was adamant about not giving up smoking marijuana. We had lots of discussions with him saying it isn't addictive and has no negative impact on someone. Although we like to think we are the Holy Spirit, we gave up trying to convince him of anything different and knew he would have to hear from the Lord.
In January we were beginning Romans for Bible study and came across this verse: But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath…. God pierced Spicy’s heart with that verse. He sat and pondered it and when I (Susan) asked him what he thought he just said, “I can be stubborn.” He didn't elaborate but he has not smoked since the end of January! It has been amazing and I have told him how I can see the change in his countenance, he just seems more alive and he now acknowledges how addicted he was.
Now Spicy is seeing God bless him for his obedience. As I said he has not been able to get a job because of felonies. However, it has been long enough that he is able to get his record expunged (his felonies would no longer appear on his record ). He filled out the paperwork but was told by the court that the paperwork was wrong, however, they still took the $600 it cost. This was quite discouraging for him. But then In January he interviewed for a job at a local oil refinery, which provides good wages and benefits. However, after going through the entire interview process the oil refinery told him they didn't want to hire him because of his record. This felt like the final straw and he certainly wanted to smoke a joint (which was how he always coped with stress before) but he rejected that temptation as well as the temptation to start selling drugs again when someone offered him that job back.
A day after that happened he got a call from the refinery and they decided to hire him anyway! I wish you could see the joy on his face. At Bible study this week he was so proud to show me his badge and safety certifications he received. He hasn't even started work yet but he told Bob that he feels like a real man now.
We are so excited for Spicy and blessed to be able to see God transforming his life!
Spicy and Bob at a ministry conference
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