God is Good

Need I say more?

Seriously, as I had breakfast with some ladies this morning I reminded of how good life is and how good God is. I was also reminded of what a gift it is to be called a child of God.

A dear friend was describing some of the struggles her extended family is having with her brother-in-law. The missing factor, Jesus. Instead, there is a mix of addictions and misery. It is so sad. As I sat there and listened I thought about what makes me different from that family. I mean, I have a mom who has an addiction to the point that we cannot spend time with her at this time. The difference is we made the choice to have a time of separation. This particular family has not made that decission yet and it is not the right decission for every family. It was we had to do and it has been the best for everyone involved.

Another difference I noticed is that we have a relationship with Christ. Why are people so quick to discount God? I think part of it is because we live in a very "quick fix" society. I am guilty of wanting quick fixes. However, God is not a God of quick fixes. He is methodical and percise with his healing. Can he heal instantly? Of course he can but he sometimes takes his time. Each experience is a stepping stone to our life. Instead of looking at trials as something bad, maybe they can be something to rejoice in. Paul says we are suppose to rejoice during our times of difficulty because the testing of our faith produces perserverance. That is the stepping stone. We are in the process of becoming all that Christ created us to be, but it is a process.

Another difference I noticed is that there is so much worry and stress in life and personally, I am becoming very aware of that. God tells us in his word over and over not to worry about anything but rather to pray about everything. I was thinking about that this morning in my quiet time. Literally, if I am praying about everything how would I get anything done. Yet if I am always praying than I am not doing anything but praying. So, taking it out of the literal context a little bit, what if I invite Jesus to be part of my daily life so that he is always walking beside me and influencing my decissions. It is kind of like an open ended prayer that never ends. Kind of intersting to think about and mind boggling at the same time.

And finally, a key word has popped into my head as of late. The word is WAIT. This is different than having patience. This is waiting in the context of God and His direction. God never does things fast. If he always did he would be like us in our society and I honestly don't think that is what he desires. Instead, I think he loves it when we spend time with him. He loves it when we cling to his Word. He loves it when we cry out to him whether we are happy or sad. He loves it when we admit our faults and failures and desire to turn from sin. He loves it when we admit we cannot do life without him.

That is where I have found myself recently. It is almost surreal but I have found myself receiving many blessings for things I had very little, if any control over. My eyes have been on the bigger picture. There was a sun rise this morning and the leaves are beautiful. I got to talk with my brother today and the conversation was incredibly encouraging. I got to serve my family by picking up our house a little bit and I will get to serve them again this afternoon and evening. I love my family and when I have a servant's heart instead of a human heart, I am a different person. I care differently. It becomes about other people, not me. I have to take care of myself but there is so much joy in serving, when I serve with the right motives.

God is good.