When all we see is mud, He is making diamonds...

Yesterday, John and I watched our two children take hands like the best of friends and obediently walk down to get into our car to go to church. John watched this, and in reflection of what the last year has been like for us, said to me:

"Wow, Sarah. We have two really good kids. How did we do it?" (Translation: "How did they SURVIVE?")
Me: "I think that's the key - we didn't".

We both were quiet. John said something about how our kids were forged in the fires of Mount Doom. :-) We both laughed. It has been a hard year for them in many ways, but they have blossomed under the gracious care of God. I especially worried about them over the last year: how could they do well without their Mom really "there"? I somehow thought God needed me in order for Him to raise them well... :-) Even though John and I often felt we had no control over their lives in providing the appropriate parent/child time, support, structure, training, and discipline that they needed (to sum it up, LOVE!), the LORD took care of them in His own way, which we are realizing is far better than what our own could have been. Some examples...
They have seen their parents cry - and most importantly, cry out to God. They have seen us wrestle to understand the loving discipline of the Lord, and that He is good no matter what. And I hope they have seen how desperately we all need God, that we are nothing like perfect, but that God is; and He is always there.
And Isaac has shown a compassionate spirit, especially toward me, that may have never come about otherwise.


This is just a good reminder that ALL things (YES, even the most horrible and seemingly pointless...just fill in the blank!) work together for the good of those who love God. We will never know all the ways in which He does and has done this for us until we reach heaven, but we can sure praise Him for the ones that He does allow us to see. I'm seeing a few right now. Thank you, Jesus!


Behold the mercy of our King,
Who takes from death its bitter sting,
And by His blood, and often ours,
Brings triumph out of hostile pow’rs,
And paints, with crimson, earth and soul
Until the bloody work is whole.
What we have lost God will restore -
That, and Himself, forevermore,
When He is finished with His art;
The quiet worship of our heart.
When God creates a humble hush,
And makes Leviathan His brush,
It won’t be long before the rod
Becomes the tender kiss of God.

-- John Piper, The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God