It has been so long since I posted here. I scarcely know where to begin. This has been a challenging winter for us in a lot of ways. Our new home has proven to be, in Stephen's words, an "unqualified disaster." For a while we had a major item (like a furnace, plumbing,chimney, drywell) misfunctioning or breaking nearly every week. And that's not including the "smaller" items like our dryer, washing machine,and vacuum cleaner that decided to quit at the same time. Yet, as I look back, I see just as many blessings mingled in with these setbacks. Unique blessings that arrived just as we were about to lose heart. During this winter we have been humbled by the love and care of our extended family who have generously shared with us and friends who have cared enough to pray and support us through our season of disappointments.
Recently I've thought a lot about God's providence and the puzzling forms it takes. I wonder why He chose to place us in a home where our faith and finances would be stretched nearly to the breaking point. Why He keeps me guessing where money for small household things like sneakers will come from.
Last Sunday, Stephen and I were reflecting on how God provided in such a puzzling way for the Israelites' needs. Why a God who could have spread a lavish feast in the wilderness would choose to provide coriander cookies day after day after day... Why He'd give them water from a rock instead of making a bubbling spring appear.
I realize that most of our questions will never be answered in this life and rest in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows how to give GOOD gifts to His children, even when they come in a form we would not ourselves choose.
No comments:
Post a Comment