Monday, May 3, 2010

God's Ways

Even from childhood I can remember hearing that old saying, “God works in mysterious ways.” But how true and profound I’ve found that to be! I don’t always understand His ways, but I have come to appreciate them.

I wanted to get the kids some new flip-flops for the summer, since they’ve outgrown the ones they wore last year. Now, I know a couple of pairs of flip-flops won’t break the bank, but I just hadn’t found the time or the money to get them yet. Well, last week God blessed the kids with 2 pairs of flip-flops each plus some new clothes and a few other things as well, by way of the mail. He laid it on a dear friend’s heart to get those things for the children. And I didn’t even ask Him for it.

Jeromy and I were just beginning to talk about what we’d like to do in our neighborhood this summer, hoping we could put together some outreach activities but wondering how much we could do by ourselves. Then suddenly, within a week’s time, we found out that we’re getting a summer missionary from Mississippi to stay with us and help us for 10 weeks. Talk about a blessing falling right into our laps!

There are times when God seems so far away, so silent. Times when we beg and plead just to hear His voice again. Even a word of discipline would be welcome, if only we could feel like He was near. Or maybe we’re angry because we feel like He’s forgotten us and let something bad happen. It seems like He’s completely abandoned us. We want to scream into the sky, “God, where are You?!”

Then there are times when He chooses to shower blessings upon us, even when we didn’t ask for them or just plain ol’ don’t deserve them. Sometimes they’re huge, life-altering blessings. And sometimes they’re just little things. Either way, we know that God in His unending goodness and unfailing love, has reached down from His glorious throne to touch our lives in a very personal way. It’s the perfect illustration of His unconditional love.

Today I am thankful for ALL of God’s ways. I am thankful for His blessings right now. And believe it or not, I can finally say that I’m thankful for the low times as well. Because looking back, I can see how coming through those low times actually made me seek Him more, which then resulted in knowing Him more. I can testify to the truth of His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us – even though sometimes it seems like He does. Our God is faithful. And the valleys don’t last forever. And sometimes, in the midst of the valley is where we find the most beautiful flowers and the greenest grass.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)