Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Detours in life



"Even the most optimistic person on the planet may find her courage tested by the inevitable disappointments and tragedies of life."  - Hugs Daily Inspirations for Moms

Have you ever been there?  Most of us have. You think life is going one way...then BAM, it veers into another direction.  Maybe it has taken a difficult, lonely or confusing turn.  Or...maybe it was not such a bad change after all and it actually led to something even more beautiful or more blessed than you could ever have imagined.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my thoughts higher than your thoughts." 

While listening to my Daily Audio Bible the other day, the story of Joseph, in Genesis 37, was a profound reminder of God's sovereignty and grace in a situation gone bad.  His father's favorite son, Joseph was sold into slavery by his OWN brothers.  Can you imagine?!  That probably wasn't the route he thought his life would take.  As the story goes, Joseph ends up in a position of authority in Potiphar's house and after time is able to save his family's lives (the same family that betrayed him).

What a great story of redemption, forgiveness and love.  A bad situation turned good.

When the day or even the entire season of life you are in doesn't look so good...there's always something to be thankful for.  Something to be learned. There's personal growth that can occur.  Possibly most importantly... there's faith and/or trust to be gained.  God knows.  He knows our hearts. Our desires. Our sins and our shortcomings.  He sees the beginning from the end. He knew and was with Joseph when he was in the "pit"and in the "palace".

Whether we are suffering the consequences of a bad decision on our part or suffering the injustice of someone else, like Joseph's story, God knows. He can help put the pieces back together.

I would like to leave you with a song by a dear friend of ours entitled Stained Glass Windows, reminds us of how God picks up the pieces of those places in our lives that seem to have been shattered.  (Warning: it's a tear jerker).

(The story and inspiration behind this song is so precious.  It's about their adoption journey.  Check out a different version of it here.)

May this encourage you today whether you are "on top of the world" or whether you are feeling the effects of being shattered. 

Much love,
Tonia

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