“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose.” Romans 8:28

Without

Walk His Way Revisited
First posted in August, 2014

I have not had a particularly easy life—but the older I get the more I am convinced that it all fits into God’s perfect plan for my life.

That doesn’t always make me feel great, but it does give me great comfort knowing that whatever hard things have happened (or will happen):

  1. God is with me in every single one of them,
  2. He orchestrated or allowed each of them, and
  3. He redeems them by using them to develop character traits in me such as humility and compassion, or outright in the form of our testimony (paraphrasing what I heard Beth Moore recently say in her video series on Inheritance).

Today as I write this, it is the 8thanniversary of one of those hard things, and you know what? It’s okay. Don’t get me wrong—as I recall the events of that day, it still hurts and I am reminded that I have lost a significant person in my life here on earth (but will see them in eternity, praise God!). Without this event, I probably never would have seen in my mom the rebirth of a relationship with Jesus that I never knew existed.

Without miscarrying my second child, I never would have had the honor and pleasure of being my oldest daughter’s mother.

Without almost losing my teenage/young adult son, I would never have learned how to fully surrender to God and watch Him perform miraculous things in all our lives.

Without struggle and loss, I would never have stepped back and encouraged my husband to be the great priest of our household he has become.

Without illness and forced solitude, I never would have entered into such a wonderful relationship with my God which includes the pleasure of dancing with Him.

When I look at the things I would have missed out on had it not been for the “withouts” in my life, I can honestly say they were worth going through. I pray I keep that same perspective when the next one comes.

Isaiah 61:3 says,“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving us so much, and for the beauty You bring out of ashes. Help us to trust You to work ALL things together for our good. Amen.