“One thing I’ve learned in my short life is that God has a purpose for everything in our life. It doesn’t matter if it is good or bad things. The Bible says it will eventually work for good.”

That’s what Sebastian here told me when I asked him what single thought or bit of advice he’d like the viewers of this photo to know. I met him after I had gone into La Mexicana Supermarket – which also includes a taqueria inside of it – for lunch.

Sebastian moved to the United States from Guatemala when he was only sixteen years old – by himself – to work here and send money back home to his family. He intended to stay here for three years only and then go back home, but only one day after arriving in the states he found himself in a church that changed everything about who he wanted to be and how he felt about God.

Before his three years were up, through that same church, he met Verónica – and ended up marrying her just seven months later. She was only eighteen at the time, and he was only twenty. They’ve now been married for twelve years and have four girls. It was clear to me through talking to him that their faith had played a huge role in their success in marriage after getting married at such a young age.

They both are now worship leaders at their church, Ministerios sal y luz, which translates to Salt and Light Ministries. She sings and he plays piano. Professionally, she’s a stay at home mom, and he works Monday through Friday for an established lawn care company. But on the weekends he is working to build his own business – Heavenly Kingdom Lawn Care – and is working hard to get to the point where he can quit his Monday through Friday gig and work solely for himself.

I asked him what he felt the key to his success had been in marriage and business and he told me that it was all in John Chapter 15. I had no clue what John 15 was about just off the top of my head, so I asked him about it.  He summarized it by saying that in everything we do we must keep Jesus a priority and at the center of our life.

I have no doubt that he has for some time now, and will continue to do so.

Edit: I started to hold off from posting this today. Seems like it could somehow be disrespectful after what happened in Orlando this weekend. But then I got to thinking that maybe this guy and his story will be a welcome change from all the hate and finger pointing I’m seeing on social media right now.

I just met Sebastian on Saturday, and he was like a breath of fresh air to me. The guy inspired me and made me feel better about the world. I hope his story and what he had to say will do the same for any of you who take the time to read it.