The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad (Psalm 126:3).
After two months of changes, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m so thankful for the peace of autumn mornings.
This past weekend I prayed for strength. You know what? The Lord answered my prayer. He filled me with His joy. I can see the colors of autumn as they are meant to be seen. With a heart full of thanksgiving.
To celebrate all the good things (Not circumstances.) the Lord has done for us, I made a loaf of banana bread and a batch of apple butter.
How are you celebrating the goodness of God in your life? What do you see when looking at the seasonal changes? Take time to relax, let go, and celebrate. The Lord has done great things. Just look around you!
This past year has been a time of remembrance of God’s goodness and mercy as I wrote my soon-to-be-released memoir. The other side of this valley is nothing short of God’s goodness and mercy.
We serve an awesome God!
True, there are things we can accomplish on our own. But only God can turn an impossible this to a that, an improbable here to a there, and an inconceivable do to a have done. All we must do is move from where we are, trust Him, and rest assured His goodness and mercy follow close behind.
So if you are in a hard place, don’t give up. God wastes nothing. He will bring a good from every situation.
Reflection: How do you see God’s goodness and mercy when looking back through your life?
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2
This past week I read an article written by Courtney Westlake on Michelle Cushatt’s blog, Making Peace With an Imperfect Life. In the post, Westlake talked about preconceived ideas in our lives—how we think something should be or ought to be.
Life teaches us to expect certain outcomes in certain situations. Plant a garden, reap produce. Get married, have babies. Work hard, enjoy retirement. Serve God, be blessed. Right? But what happens when things don’t turn out the way we imagine? What if the blessings come in unrecognizable packages?
“Sometimes, when something is different than we anticipated or hoped for, it leaves us disappointed, confused or even grieving a kind of loss.” Courtney Westlake
As you can tell, the story resonated with me because I’ve lived long enough to know we don’t always get what we imagined. As children, we imagine a blessed life to be:
happily ever afters
healthy babies
perfect jobs
more-than-enough income
successful kids
retirement
disease-free lives
But then life happens and the enemy whispers, “Where is your God in all of this?”
Sometimes, the questions are instantly silenced. Othertimes, years may pass before the taunts are quietened. Still, other questions will never be resolved until we stand face to face with Him. In those instances, let us be reminded we are not alone.
I don’t think…
Job thought he would lose all and be stricken with a disease that left him sitting on a trash heap listening to accusations from his so-called friends.
Joshua and Caleb pictured themselves remaining in the wilderness for forty years watching their kinsman die when they departed Egypt.
Mary imagined herself pregnant and unmarried.
The disciples visualized their Royal Deliverer hanging on a cross and buried in a grave.
At the onset of heartache, we see nothing but what we didn’t get or what we’ve lost. That is the goal of the enemy of our souls. However, whether that heartache is divorce, disease, or even death, we are blessed because God is right there with us through it all. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Job talked with God.
Joshua and Caleb saw the promises of God.
Mary birthed the Savior, Emmanuel, God with us.
The disciples realized Jesus was more than just an earthly King. He was the Lamb of God.
Truth, we will face heartache that will almost destroy us, but in the end, if we allow God access to the deepest regions of our heart, that heartache will make us stronger. And what we see as a trial, will turn out to be the very blessing we need to teach us of God’s faithfulness.
We are blessed no matter our circumstances. God has always been and always will be with us through the waters of uncertainty, the rivers of faith, and the fires of impossibilities. And. He. Will. See. Us. Through.
May we always recognize the blessings in disguise!
What about you? Have you any blessings in disguise?
Gail Johnson 