All Things Work Together for Good

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

This is the verse God has given me and my family in the last year. We are clinging to it like a lifeline. Challenge after challenge. Trial after trial. Lesson after lesson.

During the holiday season, a series of illnesses and "life" moments kept me away from church on Sunday mornings, until December 23. I was determined to go that day and help lead KidzWorship, knowing it would be a fun, Christmas carol filled morning. And that morning, along with several Christmas songs, we sang, "All things work together for good to those who love God ..." I knew God was smiling down on me. Just a little reminder. Just a gentle hug. Don't lose faith now. I'm still here, working all things for your good and the good of your family.

I didn't know then how much I needed to hear that. I needed to hear it, grasp it, claim it, marinate in it. More than once, in the weeks since Christmas, my human heart has questioned the verse. How? How can this, this thing, be worked for my good or my family's good or my child's good? Show me. I need to see the map. I need to see the future.

After a particularly difficult night last week, the following morning on Facebook, at least 5 different people has posted some version of this verse. Okay, God. I'm still listening. Teach me again.

It's hard; isn't it? Have you been there? Are you there now? Friend, I give you this verse, as many have given it to me in days past. Hold onto this lifeline.

And we know ... not "we hope," not "we think," not "we pray" ... we KNOW.

that in all things ... yes, all things ... ALL.

God works for the good ... God works. It's nothing you or I can do. God is working. And he is working for the good. GOOD.

of those who love him ... do you love God? Honestly, wholeheartedly LOVE him? How do you show him your love?

who have been called ... beloved, God is calling you. He is calling you to his side. He is calling you to his work. Are you heeding his call?

according to his purpose ... So, here it is. Do you know and understand God's purpose for your life? Are you living according to his purpose? Have faith and be encouraged. God has a purpose for your life, and he has designed you perfectly for that purpose. He also has a purpose for this time of trial or pain or challenge that you are going through.

He will work all things, yes all, to your good.

Encouragement

Have you ever known someone who is really encouraging? Someone who always knows how to make a person feel better and seems to always have Jesus shining through them as they speak to others? I have a friend like that. A few years ago when we were taking a Bible study class together, she would go up to the teacher every week after class to shake her hand or give her a hug and tell the leader what a great job she had done. Encouraging. I remember watching her and thinking, "I want to be like that." And several years later, I still want to be like that. I want to build others up, not tear them down. I want to show Jesus by the words I speak. Yet, I still struggle at making this part of my routine.

The Bible speaks several times throughout Scripture about encouragement:

• Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11
• But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13
• Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

From these verses, I learn that I am to encourage others daily--but am I? Are you? I don't know that I can honestly say I am. There are some days when the best I can do is just make it through the day. However, when I think about the days that I do take the time to encourage others, I realize how much better those days tend to be. The days when I do remember to listen to the nudge that's urging me to say something kind, I find that I am blessed as well.

So, what do you say we try it? I challenge you (and me!): Let's make it a habit to encourage someone every day--whether it's your husband or the person behind the counter at the store, find something that can build someone else up and share it. Maybe it's your minister or your boss; maybe it's the doctor or the school teacher....Whoever it is, my guess is they could use a kind word.

And for some of you, your first job may be to start by saying kind things to yourself. Build yourself up as well. The Lord has great plans for His people, and He did not make a mistake with any one of us. Don't let the Enemy's lies tie you down. We are the King's Creation, so let's start acting like it!

(For those of you taking this challenge, I'd love it if you'd post a comment about how you encouraged someone--or how someone else encouraged you.)

Filling Up the Mothering Tank

I'm in a MOPS kind of mood today, having just returned from the MOPS national convention this weekend. Any mother with kids from infants to almost kindergartners,who needs to feel affirmed, honored, loved, included, among friends, understood, appreciated, and lightened, join your local MOPS group if you haven't already. Then reserve your spot at next year's convention, again in Nashville (Aug 5-7).

Our 3,700 hearts were filled by the worship music of Matt Redman, Christy Nockels, Matthew West, Plumb, and Natalie Grant. Yes, in person. (It's hard to beat the awed expressions on your kids' faces when you crank up the radio and say, "I met this artist. She sang for us this weekend.") We heard inspiring messages from pastoral leaders, comedians, and others we'd never heard of before but won't forget now. We were challenged by experts in the fields of mothering, education, writing, theology, business, and more.

We laughed til we cried and cried til our makeup washed away. We texted our way around the hotel or tweeted about getting lost in the confusing layout. Yes, a GPS system inside the Gaylord would have come in handy. We stayed up too late, giggling and snacking with our girlfriends, and spent hours debating theology, Africa, and God-given passions.

Did you know the difference between Batgirl and Wonder Woman? Me, neither. But I like it... Batgirl uses a cool-looking mask and cape plus a bunch of gadgets on her belt, her bike, her car, her wrists, her boots...all kinds of tools to make her look more like Batman. Wonder Woman, on the other hand, is a born super power. Her abilities come from within--super strength, super speed, stamina, flight, and cunning. She also has a few tools to help her win the day--the Lasso of Truth, an invisible plane, and indestructible bracelets.

With Christ in us, we are like Wonder Woman--our supernatural qualities come from Him and live within us. We do not need a mask or costume or fancy gadgets to make us look powerful or significant--we already ARE! The Spirit of God empowers us to live rightly, mother wisely, forgive quickly, work diligently, and love well.

That illustration is just a glimpse of the encouraging truths we MOPS absorbed this weekend. How refreshing and invigorating!

My caffeine levels are sinking back to normal. Time for a nap!