The past two weeks have been hard. Really, really hard. You know that feeling when it seems like everything crashes down and there’s nothing you can do to stop it? Yeah, I’m beginning to get used to that feeling. It’s not fun at all, but I’ve learned some important things too.
1) God is good. God isn’t just good because He makes good things happen (which He does), but because it’s who He is. His very nature is that he is a sovereign, loving, good God. It’s so easy to get caught in the emotions of a bad situation and not be able to look outside of our “box” to see the bigger picture. We blame God for bad things that happen in our lives and ask how he can be good if hard times come into our lives. A perfect God is not defined by the events in a fallen world. An awesome God is not defined by the situations that he allows or stops, but by the fact that He is God. Every day. All the time. Forever. He is good. And if He is good all the time, then why should we only praise Him in the good times? I’ve found that even in the hurt and the tears and the confusion of a tough situation, when I look at WHO God is, I can’t help but praise Him. It’s like Peter trying to walk on the water. The storm was bad, and things were scary. It was easy to ask “why is this happening to me?” but instead Peter fixed his eyes on the Savior, not the situation. I’m so thankful that my God isn’t defined by the events in my life and that He is good all the time.
2) I’ve learned that God gives peace. I’ve always read about the “peace that transcends all understanding” and I believed it was true but I’ve never experienced it until recently. On the night my family received some really hard news, we should have fallen apart. Everything came crashing down mentally but somewhere in my heart there was a small whisper saying “there is so much more than you see right now. Wait to see what God will do.” I can’t say it stopped the tears or my mind was at ease, but I knew (and still know) that God is in control of everything that’s going on. I love resting in that peace.
3) I love the church!! I’ve gotten the chance to see God’s people in action and I seriously love it. It’s been amazing to see people pour out love to a family in need…it’s such a beautiful picture of what God intended the church to be like. I’m so proud and blessed to have such amazing friends that love God and others so much.
{{“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalms 32:7}}
You will be safe in his arms,
You will be safe in his arms,
For the hands that hold the world
Are holding your heart
This is the promise he made
He will be with you always
While everything is falling apart
You will be safe in his arms
-Safe:Phil Wickham
This week my family traveled across the country for my cousin's wedding. Naturally, most of our extended family was there which is ALWAYS a good time. Late night conversations, laughing at Saturday Night Live and embarassing dance moves. Classic. Then we were able to see another side of the family that we rarely get to spend time with! When we first met him, my shy 4 year old cousin asked me "Why are you here?" "Because you're my family!" He ran up and gave me a big hug, all shyness having vanished. 
