Have you ever noticed when people say "It's a God thing," they're always referring to something working out in their favor? A job opportunity falls into a lap and "it's a God thing." A teen auditions for and makes it into a select group and "it's a God thing." A perfect vehicle is found, a scholarship is won, plans turn out better than expected and "it's a God thing."
But aren't the bad things that happen to us also "God things?" When my dad got cancer and I spent more time with him transporting him to appointments, it was "a God thing." The urgency of his condition pushed us to have talks we'd never attempted before, "a God thing." When my son had a seizure, taking me out of a women's conference, it was "a God thing" that led to someone else transporting the speaker around and developing a helpful relationship for both parties. It was "a God thing" when I felt like nothing special as a kid, forcing me to look for real validation and worth in Him.
And what about the thousands of things we don't understand? If God is over all and in all, isn't everything "a God thing?" Somehow my parent's divorce and our years of financial struggle and my grandmother's stroke and my brother's long wait for a wife were all "God things," weren't they?
Truly ALL things are "God things."When you have no helpers, see your helpers in God.
When you have many helpers, see God in all your helpers.
When you have nothing but God, see all in God.
When you have everything, see God in everything.
Under all conditions, stay thy heart only on the Lord.
~ Charles Spurgeon
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
If we look at it this way, will we handle the tough stuff with more grace, more patience, more trust?
Join our host Jen at Ponderings of an Elect Exile for more thoughts on this quote.
Photo Credit: Wootang01
5 comments:
Love the picture, Tami! And you are so right about the use of that phrase. They are all "God things", and He is using them all for our good and His glory. What an amazing thought...if I would just remember it always. Thanks for sharing today.
"...more patience, more grace, more trust..." - yes and amen.
God doesn't just give us sugar, but also salt and vinegar, and pepper... etc.
And his recipe for our lives makes much more sense than our own ever could.
Blessings to you - Marsha
I love it this. I love the reminder that "God things" are All Things including the crappy stuff that no one wants.
I love your frustration that the majority believe at least outwardly that the good things are God things so this is all that is mentioned.
I can see your forehead tight like when you run and are just annoyed by the whole thing. And Tami, I love it! And your vulnerability and honesty.
Thank you.
All thru Him,
Cin
Boy that is food for thought today. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart Tami, and yes, God sure is in all the pains we go through . . . imagine if He didn't how truly broken we would be!
Joined in tonight . . . late! :)
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