He is Good

Was reading through some letters the other day that were sent to our church from missionaries we support. It’s always so cool to hear how God is working in far away places!  The recent letters were re-capping the past year and different things God had done in 2011.  One paragraph stood out to me in particular — “We have experienced much joy, a little sadness, great victories and minor defeats, real trials and wonderful blessings. Through it all, the Lord has been gracious and good, as always. What a great God we serve.”  I’m sure that could sum up in a few words what most of us could say about 2011.

Yeah, last year had it’s ups and downs, joy and sadness, victories and defeats, trials and blessings. I love the perspective this ends up with though — Through it all, the Lord has been gracious and good, as ALWAYS. What a GREAT God we serve! Just this morning I was thinking of some things I had wanted to happen last year that didn’t happen and found myself thanking God that He was, and is, in control! He wants the best for us so much that He doesn’t just give us everything we want.  We can’t see the whole picture, but God can. I’m so thankful for that!  

Sometimes we have to follow Him even when we don’t want to.  I remember when we first moved to Guam. I didn’t want to come at all, but at the same time there was a peace in my heart that God wanted me to come. So I came. Now I don’t ever want to leave! God knows what’s best. Every. single. time. 

At the end of 2012 I have no idea where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing, but I do know that whatever happens, wherever God leads me, no matter what joy and sadness, victories and defeats, trials and blessings come my way I want to be able to say, “Through it all, the Lord has been gracious and good, as always. What a great God we serve!”

“Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart;

for consider what great things He has done for you.”

~1 Samuel 12:24