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Too Good

Have you ever heard the phrase "too good to be true"? Well, as a believer, I've seen too many things to know the truth and be confident based on what I've seen. This time of year, I tend to reflect on the goodness of God in my life. We are entering the holiday season, after all. Most people stop to give thanks for what they have and share with others. So it makes sense that I am pondering all of the good I have seen and just can't help but share with the world why I believe in a good God who always cares for us.

I was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck, and I survived. Too good to not be God.

When I was four years old, I hemorrhaged after a tonsillectomy. My parents feared for my life as they drove me to the hospital an hour away. I'm still here. Too good to not believe God had His hand on me.

My baby sister fell at the age of one and split her head open. Other than needing a couple of stitches, she was and is fine. God was all over that.

After going into early labor with my first son at thirty-four weeks, I was able to "incubate" him until thirty-five weeks. I was told his lungs would not be fully developed and he would be physically and cognitively delayed. His first cry brought me to tears because I knew he was okay. Too good to not believe.

After going into early labor with my second son at nineteen weeks, I was put on medication and modified bed-rest. At thirty-six weeks, my baby boy entered the world and is now a strong, healthy twelve year old. God is His strength.

My husband fell ill with spinal meningitis. After confirmation that it was viral, he was released from the hospital after a week. After some time, he made a full recovery and is still going strong. God is good.

Hurricane Michael devastated our area in 2018. Our home is still standing. During debris clean-up, my older son had an ATV accident which resulted in an open compound tibial fracture. We had no cell phone service, so my son (the one born at thirty-five weeks) army crawled one quarter of a mile so that my husband could see him and get him to the hospital.  We were told he would have permanent damage. He has since made a full recovery, played football, and has no major permanent issues. Too good to not be God.

In 2019, my precious Grandmother faced a cancer diagnosis. This was her second one. In 1961, before we knew what we now know about ovarian cancer, she had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and survived. In 2019, she had surgery again to remove cancer and did not require further treatments. I still have my Grandmother because God has her in the palm of His hand.

The same year, my sweet mother faced the unknown when a growth showed up in her abdomen. After covering her in prayer, surgery revealed that the growth was benign, and she is living in the goodness of God.

In 2020, we all faced the unthinkable when COVID hit. I believe COVID gave the Church an opportunity to rise up in a new way and become the Bride that Christ is returning for. 

And now, in 2021, so much good has happened to not believe that God had a hand in it all. The best thing for me is that my Daddy is writing songs again, and I am so proud and bursting with joy for the light that has returned to his eyes. 

Now, I'm not sharing any of my testimony to brag on how great my life is. Remember, a testimony is always the aftermath of a test. And trust me, friend, there have been tremendous difficulties. But rather than focus on the hard times today, I want to give all glory to God who is too good to not believe in. Sometimes in hard seasons, we have to look back at the goodness of God and His provisions over our lives to remember that He will keep us from stumbling. And if we do stumble, He will dust us off and set our feet back on the rock of Jesus Christ.

What good things has God done for you and your family? It's too good to not believe.

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



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