What a strange week this has been!
It started with Vanessa getting really sick and I quickly followed. I totally lost the better part of the week to feeling better which I now do feel much better.
As I was puking my guts out, I started getting email on the Guardala Plea, posted the other day. I asked the obvious question - Where is Dave Guardala getting a million dollars and got the rude awakening that I will not be getting any money from this jerk. At first glance one might think I am nuts since I never thought I would see a penny from Guardala. But the issue is Dave getting off with a very nice 57 month sentence and then not paying anyone a penny, rather than serving the 20 years he could get in prison for the crimes he has now admitted to committing.
Since I know he will never pay me a penny after stealing 20 grand from me, I think he should shut up and do the time - 20 years baby! The bad news is, he might get a light sentence and screw everyone again because Guardala is equivalent to garbage in the latest US Dictionary. He is trying to get off light and not do what he said he would for the 1 millionth time. Gets old....
So, no financial break either from the devastation my bad decision made to work with Dave Guardala in the first place. Well, I still have my 62 Impala to try and sell to pay my Mom back the bulk of the money I borrowed that Dave stole. The dang Impala needs work again. This is the first time I can't just stick it on a card and get it fixed. From now on, repairs will be sale price drops from the desired asking price. Not good news either. Now asking 11,000.00, maybe 10,500.00.
This all leaves me taking a hard look at the new Bankruptcy laws and having to think about that ugly reality.
Leads me to today...
Played at Saddleback Church this afternoon and ran off to get to the Club Gig tonight, all to find I was not needed because no one was there again! I grabbed a check and ran out the door on a wild goose chase.
You see, last night a group of really cool music fans came in and it was a great night. We started talking and they said they had come in specifically to see me play, which was nice. They then said tomorrow it was a Guitar player! I was thinking different local guys and they said, no. They were going to see this guy Doyle Dykes. I was surprised to hear Doyle was in town and then totally bummed that I was in Church right up till a club gig and was going to miss this visit from Nashville. They told me it was local and mentioned the venue and I just whined that I had to work and would not be able to go.
Back to tonight. I grabbed my check for the past 3 weeks at the gig and realized I could try and sneak in to the show if I hurried. I found the venue as if I knew right where I was going, and walked in to be met by the promoter, Tim. We talked for a minute and he invited me to go in and listen if I wanted to!
I got to see one of the best Guitar players in the world tonight and hang with him afterwords. It was awesome! The show was amazing - as always! But what was amazing was his ministry in a general public setting. He blessed me sooooo much and left me soooo aware that God was still in control. Even after a week of being very sick. Dealing with the frustration of being broke and Guardala getting off very light, the car expenses or lost sales revenues now, and the possibility of Bankruptcy; God is in control!
I was so aware of God's presence and blessing as I sat there, having lost another nights pay and having an unusual week, that it brought me to tears. I was totally not expecting to have this night tonight. I was expecting to go to work and make a hundred dollars and then get back to Church in the morning. Instead I had a moment. A moment of being reminded that God has a purpose for everything and is a good father, loving me and working everything to good.
I was very happy to have the week end very different from where it started. Nothing has changed in circumstance; yet I know everything will be more than fine!
Just wanted to pass that along. Trust goes beyond circumstance, when founded in someone much bigger than ourselves.
Greg is trusting.... (and smiling
