19 - Money...

Yes, he was making amazing money; however, he wasn’t my Juan.

Matthew 21:22, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”(ESV)

​She detailed his success, his fast-tracked promotions, and even his elaborately decorated office in almost symmetric-agreement with Juan’s account.

However, after that, the similarities of the stories ended. 

She slowly and emotionally said, “He was king in his office.  Beloved by his investors.  But to his family, his kids, he was a very different person.”

She stated, “When I met him, he was a strong man of God.  Few people know this, but he’s the one of the main reasons why I gave my life to Christ in the first place.  Sure, I wanted to do it; however, it was his life that motivated me to really give it thought.  I still remember when he shared the Gospel with me.  He told the story of Christ with such passion and conviction; it was as if my heart was begging for God’s Love.   So, when I decided to be baptized, I told him I wouldn’t dream of giving the honor of that moment to anyone other than him.”

“Shortly thereafter, we were almost a cinema love story.  He was the man I loved.  We dated, without having any sex.  Can you believe men like that still exist?  Then we were married, had beautiful kids, and life only got better for us.  I remember in the flow of God’s favor over our lives how he would remind me and say (imitating his voice), ‘Selena, God is the reason why were so blessed mi alma, and I pray you nor I, ever forget that.’  So, when he received the job at Grace, I knew it was God’s favor and I was thankful.  I mean, we prayed about that job, our friends prayed, even our church family prayed.   However, the job that I believed would be a blessing for our family, actually proved to be the open door for the curse.”

Taking a very deep breath and still looking at the unlit cigarette, she continued, “He was three years in, and things were very competitive on the job.  I noticed how he was going to church less, spending time with me and the kids less, and growing more agitated by the day.  Yes, he was making amazing money; however, he wasn’t my Juan.  I remember telling him one day, ‘Juan, this job is becoming a god to you.” 

“He was always on edge, he felt like everyone on the job wanted his position, and if he wanted to WIN he would say, he had to fight.  He began to abandon his integrity, and I continued to see an undeniable difference in him. Seeing him like this would make me sad.  Some nights, I’d cry myself to sleep.  However, that was just the tip of the iceberg.” 

​Selena paused, took a deep breath and continued, “I literally had no idea how in one day, my whole world would come crashing down.  Carlos, In one day, I learned…”

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