In all things we know that God works good for those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose. Romans 8:28
I believe and have stood on this Word many times in my life but I see it so clearly in this past few weeks of my Dads life and in the days since he has gone to be with Jesus.
When I left I never dreamed we would have lost my dad as quickly as we did and the main thing I have struggled with since, was the fact that as we were checking out of the hospital I believed STRONGLY in the doctors words "NO NO you don't have DAYS left you have WEEKS left." We lost dad 6 days later. Remember we had planned on driving my Dad back to Okla to see his mom but then daddy took another bad turn and we flew my Nana immediately to Florida. Although Dad was not awake or coherent when my Nana was there by his side she was able to share her heart and say things she wanted to say that otherwise wouldn't have happened. God worked Good for Dad and for Nana
My brother and I live in the same small town and have lunch periodically but never really talk on a heart level or spend much time together. Over the course of the last 3-4 years we have taken a trip to Dads in May to attend the TPC Sawgrass Golf Tournament and also spend Dads birthday with him. This was one time a year that my brother and I would spend together and I grew to love these trips. When we would return home it would go back to normal ~ not really taking the time for one another yet we were building something.....
When we got the call of Dads admit to the hospital and made the arrangements to go to Florida my brother had plans to return after only 4 days and although I hated for him to return (not knowing if Dad would make it for him to come back) I knew it wasn't likely that my brother would stay indefinately and be able to handle seeing Dad the way he was but he COMPLETELY surprised us all. He stayed the entire time ~ HE was INCREDIBLE with my Dad and honestly I couldn't even begin to share the healing and life changing events that took place in my brother. God worked good for my brother and my Dad
What has taken place for my brother and I is only from the LORD. We have worked side by side for the last month caring for our daddy in every capacity imaginable. We have shared our hearts with each other, strengthened one another and depended on each other as well. This is something I will forever praise the Lord for. In the midst of the pain there is a GIFT. This is true no matter what you go through because whether you are dealing with a pruning of your flesh, a loss of a loved one, or working on broken relationships God watches over HIS Word to perform it. He Cannot Lie and His Word says ~
In ALL THINGS WE KNOW THAT GOD WORKS GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE Thank you Lord for YOU worked good for me and Tony
So, stand on His Word today. Trust HIM. Praise HIM. Walk with HIM and see what Good HE will do for YOU
Love and Blessings
14 comments:
You are so right Loren! God works good out of all things!!! I am so glad to hear that you and your brother have enjoyed such a bonding time in this last month. I am sure that makes your daddy so happy. Still praying for you,
Christy
I love that God works everything for our good. He has our best interests at heart. That is so awesome about you and your brother. That is awesome that your relationship has been strengthened.
Loren - thank you for this awesome message today. So many times, we need to be reminded of this truth of His Word. All things work together for His good.
You have been an amazing friend, prayer warrior and godly example these past months in my life.
Thank you - Beth
Loren,
You can completely see God's hand in everything from the time this all began as God's begins to reveal His timing in it all. From things going smoothly to allow family members to be there at your dad's promotion to Heaven, to having your brother there to help you make the hardest decisions you would need to make. God never left you alone and provided encouragement to you just when you needed it the most!
God bless you sweet sister for letting us all share in the learning experience that has come from watching God work miracles in the midst of something difficult for anyone to experience. You've done it with His grace, His Love and His Spirit and we thank you for it.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I'm so happy that you see God's hand in the midst of your trials. So many people get bitter when they lose a loved one. I pray you & your brother continue to grow closer. God bless
Wonderful testimony of how God works even in tough, trying situations. I pray he continues to grant you peace in your heart and continued closeness with your brother.
Loren,
You are strong ~ it's quite obvious that God has blessed you with strength to learn from these circumstances and to see clearly what was learned. Then you have been honest enough to share those lessons with us, that we may also learn. Thank you for being a dear friend - you are a blessing!
Oh wow, Lauren. What an awesome and beautiful testimony of how God can work in such amazing ways!
Thank you for sharing that with us. We are nearing the final days with my grandfather and it's hard for me... yet I know God has big plans for him up in heaven... so I have to be ready when God's ready.
Thank you for your testimony of how God can work through even sad, sad times!
Wonderful post. There are many who need to hear the words that you have written today. Preachers can go to the pulpit and say some of these things over and over and it just isn't received in the way it is when it comes from somebody that sits by them on the pew. Romans 8:28 is my favorite Scripture. My roommate from Abilene Christian days had Romans 8:28 engraved around the top of a beautiful Southwest style bowl that sits in our family room. I see it every day.
Loren, I am so glad that you were able to see God soo greatly at work in the midst of this difficult time in your life. What wonderful blessings there were for you! I love that the Lord is there for us NO MATTER WHAT and that His timing is always perfect. I LOVE the truth in this verse. PRIASE GOD!! Blessings to you, Debbie
Loren~
Oh my goodness. Where have I been. I don't remember reading about your fathers passing. But what a beautiful post. And to know that the God of all comfort is there for you is amazing.
God does work all things for good, and having your relationship with your brother grow during this is an extreme blessing.
With much love
Mikki
Ok...I just posted something...but I think I messed up and didn't do the word characters so I don't think it went thru...if it did...delete this...if not...please don't think I am crazy...I'm writing something again...
I love how God takes our sorrow and sadness and turns it into healing in ways we didn't even imagine! He always works for the good of those who love HIM!!
Reminds me of the song:
I"m trading my sorrow...I'm trading my pain...I'm laying them down...for the joy of the Lord..Amen!!
What a powerful post Loren, I was so touched by these truths you have shared and experienced from God's promises in His word. What an Awesome God we serve.
What else can I say, I just praise Him for who and what He is in our lives. Thank you so much for blessings me tonight,
Hugs,
Sue
Loren,
I also lost my dad to cancer last April. Oh the similarities (sp) in our stories are unreal. As much as I hated losing him, the experience is one I wouldn't trade for anything. I truly saw God in so many ways. I know we don't know each other, (we have a mutual friend, Tamara) please know I am and will be praying for you. Now, almost 9 months later, there are still days I miss him terribly as I'm sure you also miss your dad. Hope this message makes some sort of sense and doesn't just sound like endless rambling. Prayers are going up for you:)
Kristin
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