Alicia and I often talk about the hidden realities behind what is seen on Facebook aka "nobody poops in Facebook land." So, to balance it all out... In the past week we went to a light parade, attended the annual Christmas party hosted by our incredibly wonderful friends, and last night we spent the evening at a celebration at a farm... Behind the scenes, I fell down some stairs and now my butt hurts, my special rear-view mirror broke and fell to the floor while driving, my dog Mercy vomited all over the floor, and I am now sitting at Discount Tires for 2 hours while they replace the tire that ingested a long screw and a nail. All of this while juggling the thoughts of some large socioeconomic changes about to happen in our lives, not to mention the upcoming anniversaries of the unexpected deaths of Amber as well as my father-in-law.
But, do you know what my predominant thought is? It's all good! Every bit of it! I am content. Why?
- In John 10:10, God did not promise me a happy la-la life, He promised me an abundant life, and all of this most surely qualifies:
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." -- John 10:10 - In Isaiah 45:7, God lets me know that it is all His doing:
"I form light and create darkness;
I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the LORD, who does all these things."
-- Isaiah 45:7 - In Romans 8:28, God has promised that no matter what, as a believer, every thing He does is for my own good:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -- Romans 8:28 - I am content:
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." -- Philippians 4:11-12
Thank you Jesus!