Week 380
Positive post Sunday, June 9, 2024…. Week 380. This week’s PPS is once again focused on how God is present in our daily lives. All we need to do is listen with our ears, see with our eyes, and most importantly feel with open hearts and we will experience the goodness of the Lord throughout our lives.
On behalf of our family (Michele Lomen Rendler had a School Board commitment), this past Thursday, I had the honor of presenting the Mike Lomen Memorial Scholarship at Eagle Rock High School (ERHS). Mike was my father-in-law and a man I have deep respect for. I will forever be grateful that he gave me one of the greatest gift one man can give another, his permission and blessing to marry his daughter Michele. We will be celebrating our 41st anniversary next week.
Even though we lost him to cancer on January 1, 2016, and he retired over 20 years ago following a career that spanned over 7 decades at ERHS, I was humbled by how many people came up to me reminiscing about Mike and sharing the positive impact he had on them and their families. While I was backstage with the other presenters preparing to give the award, I was overwhelmed by how many other presenters and school staff expressed their love and respect for Mike, sharing stories about their experiences with him. As an example, one of the presenters Carol, who also went to Eagle Rock High School with her 4 brothers, said she remembered Mike as a coach and how he knew all the kids on his team and their skills and potential. She specifically mentioned his support and encouragement for her younger brother.
From academics to athletics, Mike’s legacy of leadership, coaching, both on the field and in the classroom, and support for students continues to be present at ERHS. If you are ever on campus, walk by the large boy’s gym to see how much he was appreciated. The gym was rededicated as the Michael Lomen Gymnasium in 2022.
Here’s the divine intervention part. As I was reading the accomplishments of Joziah, the recipient of the scholarship, which included being the president of the senior class and playing varsity football, basketball, and track, I came to the part about where he was planning to go to school, California Baptist University (CBU). Two of Mike’s great granddaughters, my granddaughters, are currently attending CBU and just finished their sophomore year. Additionally, he is planning to major in Engineering, and I’m an Engineer.
Of all the students receiving scholarships that evening, and there were over 70, Joziah was the only one planning to attend CBU and with a major in Engineering. Our family was not involved with the selection of the recipient. Furthermore, those who selected Joziah were certainly not aware that Mike’s great granddaughters were going to CBU or that I was an Engineer and presenting the scholarship, but God was aware!
When I asked Joziah why he picked CBU, he said he wanted to go to a school where he could continue to pursue God while he was pursuing his educational goals. My heart was very heavy that evening as I recognized the amazing legacy of my father-in-law and experienced the presence of our Lord in the form of a young man with a goal of continuing to pursue God. What a blessing.
How do you experience divine intervention in your life?
How do you pursue God while pursuing your worldly goals?
