In God's Time

But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says, Don't be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up - the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. I gave Egypt and Ethiopia and Seba [to Cyrus] in exchange for your freedom, as your ransom. Others died that you might live; I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me and honored, and I love you.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you from east and west, from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the farthest corners of the earth. All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory; I created them. Isiah 43:1-7 (TLB)

{God} has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

At the beginning of winter, Marci Krull, from Iowa, took a walk through the woods and was remembering that the trees had been beautiful and full of colorful leaves only a few weeks prior. Now the branches were bare. The field and trees were all the same dull color. As Marci took a picture of one tree, she couldn't help but think how dreary it was. Still she noticed little bumps on each branch, and she thought about how those bumps would become tiny buds bringing forth new life in the spring.

Marci was taking this walk one year after they lost their foster son in a car accident. After the accident, Marci didn't know how God could possibly redeem the situation. But slowly God reminded her of all the beautiful moments they had shared with their son, and she realized those moments were a gift that could never be taken. They were never promised an indefinite amount of time with their son, but each moment they did have was beautiful. As she has come to terms with the loss, God has used Marci to help other mothers who have lost their children.

God has a way of working for good even when we can't see it. Sometimes we feel like we are left bare, but God heals our brokenness, allowing new life to spring forth. In God's time, beautiful blessings can grow from our pain and brokenness.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for making all things new. You heal our brokenness and make things beautiful again in your time, in Jesus' name. Amen.