god is always

It’s been awhile since I wrote on this thing. Yikes! So, I apologize!

But, I am still thankful for this little blog. It has given me a place to share what’s on my heart. It has also been a way for me to go back and remember where we have been as a family and what I have learned along the way. If you are one of those people that pop over every once and awhile or have followed along the way, thanks! And to new friends, hello. I am glad you are here.

I wanted to share something that has been such a huge for me the past few months. These truths are so important and have really changed my perspective. They are all things I “knew” or heard before. But, I feel like these things have come to life right in front of my eyes and lifted so many burdens off my back! I hope they encourage you as well.

So, we just started 2017. Happy New Year by the way!

Did anyone else sit and wonder, what this year will bring? I feel like our family has so many unknowns ahead, so I found myself thinking a lot about the future. And I came to this conclusion…. I have no clue what will actually happen this year. I really don’t. But, I do know this… God is always.

What does that mean? Basically this… You don’t know what you’re going to face next week, month, or year, but you can know that you don’t have to face it alone. God is always with you. God is always in control. God is always good.

Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT).

Do we realize what this means? That we don’t have to survive this year on sheer willpower. We don’t have to make it through the week in our own strength. How big of a relief is that? We don’t have to walk around exhausted and stressed out of our minds anymore. For those who know Jesus, we actually have Him working in us! He gives us the strength and the power to do His work.

Not only is God with us and in us; God is also for us. Romans 8:31 says,“If God is for us, no one can defeat us” (NLT). The Bible says we can trust God. He has promised to give us what we need.

“Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
     the LORD answered me and set me free.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
     What can man do to me? “—Psalm 118:5–6

Doesn’t it make a difference if you know someone is for you?  Someone has your back?  For those who know this, life doesn’t seem as overwhelming. The God of the universe is your father! And he is a good, good father!

Because of his goodness, God gives us things we don’t deserve, such as forgiveness, salvation, and second, third, fourth (etc) chances when we mess up. If you have not experienced God’s forgiveness, I encourage you, make things right with Him today. He isn’t some far off, scary God up in Heaven.

He wants to know you.

This next year may not be all flowers and rainbows. But that’s ok, because when you know God, goodness can come from all circumstances. 

“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

This fostering thing has taught me this particular lesson over and over. Its hard, SO hard, sometimes. But, I have seen SO MUCH GOODNESS, even in the midst of pain. I have experienced God in a way I probably would not have without those hard times. And I am so thankful for each experience we have had, good and bad.

He has a purpose for every season of your life — the lonely seasons, the sad seasons, the seasons of success, the seasons of waiting, and the joyful seasons. Your life is not a random series of occurrences. God knew and He knows. He uses everything. God can draw good out of each event. That means every single thing, no matter how dark or shameful or bitter you feel about it, God can bring good out of it.

So trust as you look ahead to 2017 that…

God is always with you. God is always in control. God is always good.

Always.