When God Speaks! - Emmanuel Scozzaro – The Church at Cahaba Bend

 I was an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Alabama for over 5 years when God blessed us with the news that Kristi was pregnant.  Shocked was an understatement, as we were told that Kristi would not be able to have children after she had Josie. We were comfortable we our children--mine and hers. We were involved with their lives and our careers.  We had turned a corner in our life as the girls were finding self-sufficiency and we were nearing our forties.  Just like that, we were pregnant!  

We were grasping our new life and I wanted Kristi at home, full-time, with our new blessing.  After thought and prayer, I resigned from the state and went back to a private, solo practice in the Bessemer Cutoff of Jefferson County.  Things were fine, but progress was slow.  Living in Helena, day after day I realized our life was in Helena and Shelby County.  

I had conversations with Kristi about moving the practice to Shelby County and began searching for office space.  We always loved the “Old Town” area of Helena and wanted to lay down roots there.  We found an old home on 2^nd Street and loved it.  After a contractor investigated and gave us our options, we decided against the house.  I was discouraged, but truly wanted to be in Old Town. We set our sights on another location, but it was under another lease.  My hopes were dim, but as Kristi was driving Josie to Pelham HS one morning she called and told me about a tiny little white house in Old Town that as for rent.   I did not believe her, but as she said, it was available.   She contacted the owner and when we went to see it, we fell in love with it.  We were both excited.  I ran the financials and ran them again and sadly told Kristi we could not afford the move.  This was on a Sunday morning and were both emotional about the reality. 

 Coincidentally, that morning we were attending church with my father.  He was still attending Garywood Assembly in Hueytown. We drove in silence, as the kids had spent the night with Grandparents, Gail and Jerre.  When we arrived, the marquee in front of the church was flashing the message, “THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW.”  I stared at Kristi.  When we entered the building there were banners posted on the walls alluding to “change,” as their pastor was preaching that as a sermon series.  In fact, that day’s message was all about stepping out of your comfort zone and making the needed change.  I remember during altar call I thought Kristi would go, and she thought I would go, as we had tears in our eyes.   After the service, a fellow attorney with an office close to where mine was located spoke to me and strongly urged me to change the physical location of my practice while I was still young.  He stated, “I’m not sure why I am telling you this, but I am.”  Again, Kristi and I stared at each other. 

 After church, we went to my father’s home and spoke with him about the situation.  His words were, “I hate change more than anyone, but you must not disobey God. Now get gone.”  We shocked at how obvious God had been with us and nervous the little white house was no longer

available.  Kristi called the owner and inquired further, and he told her several others had shown interest, but he was waiting to hear from us!  We were overwhelmed with emotion.  We were doing it!  We stepped out on a wing and a prayer because of God’s constant nudge! 

 I genuinely believe through all of my meditation and seeking God, He was there all the time. I was tone deaf, too comfortable and afraid of change.  I was not trusting solely in God, but in my finite understanding.   Looking for God to guide me through prayer and scripture, he was there all along.  God told me in 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… I was afraid to listen.  I could see his work in reading Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified… I continued to pray and ask God for guidance, every time I thought we were close, the door closed (or so I thought). Rather than listing to God, again, in scripture like Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer… I had yet to turn control over and fully surrender.  God had to basically scream at me before I allow Him to be the light for my path, which is seen in Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path“. 

We have been serving Helena and our neighbors for almost 7 years, and it is an honor to serve a community we love so dearly.  I only wish God would speak that loudly all the time, because I am deaf, but I take comfort in Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God… Not a day passes that we do not give thanks to Our Lord.  We are only here to serve because it is God’s will.  Luke 11:28 Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.  Through daily service to others we find ourselves being able to share God’s love and for that we are eternally grateful.