Last year, April 1st fell on a Friday. This Friday in particular, my sisters and I were going to go shopping, but as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, we got a call informing us that my dad was on his way to the hospital because of a heart attack. That day changed my life forever.
God was merciful and spared his life, and he's doing so well to this day. Sometimes I am wondering why God is doing certain things. Why does He let bad things happen? Why can't life just be peaches and cream?
This morning in church, Pastor preached from Amos 3. It was such a good sermon! It was about God ALWAYS doing the right thing. The part that really hit home for me, was when he was talking about Israel not listening to God, so He would send something to wake them up and show them He was still in control.
I was thinking, last year around this time, I was not listening to God. I was pretty much ignoring Him. Pastor made the statement, "God doesn't ever chasten someone who doesn't need it." Obviously I needed it. I look back on my dad's heart attack as God getting my attention. It's like He was saying, "You think you have everything figured out and that you're in control of your life. But guess what? I'm still in control of everything...including you."
Like most people, I don't like it when I feel like life is out of control and there's nothing I can do about it. In that time of my life, there was definitely nothing I could do about the situations that were taking place. I didn't like walking into the hospital room, seeing my dad hooked up to tons of machines and IV's and not being able to do anything about it. I had to trust God to be in control of everything!
I had heard my whole life that God uses everything for His purpose...no matter if it's good or bad. It's hard to believe that until something does actually happen and you see the good that comes out of it. Psalm 18:30 says, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." (ESV)
God taught me so much by using one thing: my dad's heart attack. I can't say that I have everything all figured out now, and that I have the best attitude every time something bad happens...because I don't! God still has to send things my way to wake me up and to remind me that He's still in control.
I'm thankful for a God who will hear my cry and come to rescue me too! I couldn't have gotten through the past year without prayer! God became my best friend! :) My favorite verse right now: "In my distress, I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears." Psalm 18:6
God put life into perspective for me last year. I was treating it too flippantly, and wasn't taking advantage of God's goodness. It's been a tough ride, but God's been there every step of the way.
Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
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