ROMANS 8:28 (NIV) - “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

As we get older we can look back and see God’s hand in many of the major decisions we faced as a couple: where we would live, what jobs we would have, decisions regarding our sons. One time we thought we found the perfect location for our family and we were not able to purchase the property. We later found out this particular area was not what it seemed but had a very negative environment and would not have been a good place to bring up our children. At the time we were very disappointed, but many times since, we have thanked God for keeping us from getting that property.

Sometimes God will allow us to have what we want, even if it might be harmful to us. But that is usually when we are determined to go ahead of Him, ignore His guidance, and go forward with OUR plans.

We suffer the natural consequences of our decisions, but we can learn from those if we seek God’s plan for us. If we truly want to be in God’s will and seek His face, He will work in those “mistakes” and “wrong turns” and turn it out for our good. “Our good” does not always mean we get the material things we think we have to have, or our own way all the time. It means He is making us more like Him through our circumstances and experiences, and that is a good thing!

Submitted by: Pam & Jim Cole