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Life is Hard... God is Good

I broke a record this week.  Well, actually, I broke my finger. My right pinky finger to be exact.  Up until Tuesday, I had never broken a bone or needed stitches as a result of an injury.  The first thought that came to mind was, "I don't have time for this!"  Here we are, one week before showtime, my son is getting ready to turn sixteen, and I've got to make a trip to the ER. (Insert annoyed eyeroll). 

First, let me say that I work with some amazing ladies who literally swooped in and assisted me during my "crisis." Sometimes it's easy to wonder who your friends really are, and I was blown away by the army of people that wrapped me up and stood in the gap to keep things going in my absence. 

My husband "just happened" to be in the city where I needed to go to the ER.  My best friend (who works at the school with me) drove me up to meet him.  It was chilly out, and I left my jacket at work.  No problem; our friends were in town for a doctor appointment and had an extra jacket. Three hours later, we were exiting the ER with two stitches, a splint, and discharge orders to follow-up with a hand specialist.

As we drove through Wendy's following our hospital visit, my husband commented on how crazy it was that everything worked out like it did.  Immediately, all I could say was, "That's not crazy; it's God. LIFE is crazy, but God is still good."

Just a week ago, I was speechless about the goodness of God and how He had been so involved in my weekend.  Fast forward to today. My hand hurts. I'm waiting to see a hand specialist. We are praying (and I hope you will also say a prayer) that my hand will heal properly without needing surgery.  God is still good, and He's still all up in this!

In the Kids Tribe, we've been talking about the life of Joseph.  I love his story. Today, we were reminded that Joseph remained faithful to God in the pit, in Potiphar's house, in prison, and in the palace. My favorite part of the lesson was our object lesson.  The lesson called for me to "bake cookies," but there was a catch. I left out all the "yucky" ingredients. Obviously, the "cookies" were a disaster.  In a simple lesson, the kids (and I) discovered that we need the unpleasant stuff sometimes to help shape us into what God wants us to be.

Jesus said that in this world we would have troubles, but we can take heart because He has overcome the world.  We can all agree that life isn't always easy.  In fact, if I'm being honest, life has been pretty hard.  Through a pandemic, tremendous loss, and just day-to-day worries, I'm spent. But in my weakness, that leaves room for God to show up. I think I'll take Paul's stance and rejoice in my temporary affliction so all glory can go to God.  I'm blown away by His love for me.

So I broke my finger, and God sent my friends to care for me, placed Lyndon right where I needed him to be, and even made sure I had a jacket so I wouldn't be cold.  He hasn't left or failed me yet.  Even when life is hard, God is good.  



© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.

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