Unexpected? Yes. Unplanned? No.

Do you believe that everything happens for a purpose? Good or bad?

Do you believe that you can accomplish God’s will for your life, even from your sick bed?

Be encouraged, friend! Even when unexpected things happen, God always has a reason and a purpose for you. It didn’t just happen and it didn’t take God by surprise! It is part of His plan, and  His reasons are exactly what is right and good for you at that time! Your job, of course,is always the same:  to trust Him and obey His word!

He has a plan and he is working it out.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10

It has been comforting to know that even in weakness, God has a plan for me. An ordained plan. And as you and I see life through the lens that God is in control and is working out all things for our good, we will rest in whatever comes our way.

Let me share how I see God working this week through my Mono.

• In my weakness, and in God’s plan, I have had more time to study and read His word, and to prepare for upcoming ministry opportunities this fall.
• In my weakness, and in God’s plan, I have had more time to visit physically with  women and have had times of mutual encouragement in Christ.
• In my weakness, and in God’s plan, I have had the chance to encourage some discouraged women who called for some direction and for prayer.
• In my weakness, and in God’s plan, I have had lots of time to sit and read with my youngest girl and to watch movies with my older girls.

God is always working.

What has God brought into your path today?

You are on a mission to live out God’s love and grace to others right where you are! 

So where are you today?

Are you called to serve someone who is unlovable?

Whether it is a sick child, a cranky toddler or that “prickly someone”,  God has called you to “good works” and to extend His love and grace whether you feel like it or not and whether they deserve it or not.

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matt. 5:44,45

Why does God make the sun rise on the deserving and the undeserving? The just and the unjust? Not because of their goodness or their lack of goodness, but because HIS nature is good and that is just the way He is.  And if  he calls us to love even our enemies and those who would purposely do us hard, I’m pretty sure that includes everyone in between as well. And if we are not willing to love the unlovable, we cannot be like our Father in Heaven and we are no better than the “unsaved” who only love the people who love them back.

Are you in a season of sickness, rest or waiting?

Instead of fretting or fussing, and worrying about not “getting it all done”, simply trust. Peace will not come until we express trust: trust in God’s goodness, His plans for our lives and His sovereignty in all things.

Psalm 23:2 tells us that He makes me lie down in green pastures. The picture is of resting/renewal in a cool, grassy place. Resting teaches us to trust God in new ways. It gives us opportunities for extended times of fellowship with Him! It energizes us for what lies ahead. So welcome seasons of waiting and leave your problems with God. John 15:5 says that without him, you can do nothing…including resting well.

Happy resting, or serving, or whatever you find yourself doing today. Do it all to make God smile and for His good name.