Time of Reflection

The last year has been full of obstacles and difficulties that have really opened my eyes to how God really works. Often times we question God about, why tough things in life need to happen if He's the sovereign God of all things. This morning I had a moment to read my Bible and reflect on what it means for me; I came across Jesus teaching to his disciples in Matthew 5:1-12. Every verse starts with blessed from verse 3 to verse 11. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (NIV). It's never easy to hear, “It's okay, God has a plan” or “don't worry God's in control” when your in the middle of and obstacle or difficulty. The real truth is, even though your life just feels like a wreck right now if you stick to what God has planned for you or what you feel He's been leading you to do, then you will experience the blessings of God in inconceivable ways. If you've followed my blogs at all then you know I've been trying to record some of the ways God has blessed us (my family), but in all actuality I've only been able to describe and capture a small glimpse of the things we've been able to experience and learn. My hope is that, if you are going through a tough time you will stop, check and see if you are doing what God ask, try to recognize the blessings of God, and “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

I Had a Bad Day

Woke up late, 2 year old crying because mom and dad won't let her play (poke and prod) with her 12 week old sister in her cradle, can't find belt, lunches not ready, late for work, late for school, van needs gas (gaslight on for past 3 days), left daycare check at home, walk late into class and the professor prays and then welcomes the class in his usual English accent. He begins class with, “Is God good Class? Is God good in your life? Can anyone share how God is good to them?” It's a small class, but it's not long and stories of how God has helped students get their car fixed, humbled them by using them, given peace and hope in memory of brothers drowning (alive today because he was revived at hospital), kept healthy through 3 severe car accidents in less than 6 months, and provided for a family through a new job. It's at this point of course when it hits me that I'm not having a bad day. I begin to think of all the things God has done in my life over the past year. I begin to think about how God is good all the time. He doesn't have any obligation to be, but he is. I often think about how God did enough when he forgave my sin. It's now that I begin to think and notice that not only did he forgive me and that was enough, but he is continuously good. It's true that if God blesses me in no other way than forgiving me of my sins that would be enough to declare him good at all times. The catch is this, God is doing more than that, he is exceeding in a way that goes beyond what has already seemed impossible.