Suddenly~

TGIF Greetings:)

For the past few days we've looked at this verse and discovered that God has good plans, and we need to get on board with His plans by telling Him we trust Him. We also need to live life as though we truly believe that He makes everything beautiful at the right time.

I will be the first to admit that it is easy to live this way when His plans and ours align. When love is in the air and money is in the bank. When the kids are first in their class and working the afternoon shift to learn responsibility. When everyone is healthy, and everyone is getting along. When the flowers are in bloom and there's not a rain cloud on the horizon.

What about when something unexpected happens?

Matthew 8:24 "Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat..."

My sudden and furious storm happened on July 8, 1990. I got a phone call from my mom that she didn't feel well, and one week later we learned she had pancreatic cancer. She passed away May 24, 1991, and for a long long time I struggled with how it could possibly be part of God's plan to prosper my mom by letting her die of cancer. I could not understand how His promise of no harm fit in with her chemo treatments. How her future was cut short--too short by dying so young.

For a long long time I thought I would drown in the grief. On a daily basis I bombarded God with "why?" questions.

I did not get all the answers, but I did get a few.

Prosperity, as defined by our friends at dictionary.com means "a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition."

The best place where we will all one day thrive and flourish is with Christ Himself in glory.

And, can any harm ever come to us again when we are in heaven? No! No chemo, no needles, no cancer, no pain.

Finally: If God's intention is to give us a hope and a future, is there anything better we could hope for then to spend our future in perfect peace, health, and happiness with Him?

God's timing was not mine--not by a long shot. But here is what He whispered in my heart after I questioned Him--even His very love for me. (I am ashamed to admit it.)

"Yenisita, every good Father calls His children home. Besides, You know what heaven is like. Would you really want me to send your mom back to earth?"

I can honestly answer no; I wouldn't want her to come back.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us feel Your presence now and when the sudden storms arise. Thank You that You can handle all our questions and that You have all the answers we will ever need. In Jesus' name, AMEN~