Goodness and Mercy in the Storm

Goodness and Mercy in the Storm
I love to share about God’s goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6) but then comes along another storm or battle that rocks and reels our world again. So many people in the Florida Panhandle are facing “life AFTER the devastation from Hurricane Michael”. The National Weather Service reported it to have been the third-strongest storm ever to strike the U.S., calling it a catastrophic and unprecedented event.

It's a cinch to speak "goodness and mercy" from my place of comfort, security, and safety this morning. I could go on my merry way and not give a second thought to those precious people who are suffering and are reeling from this disaster. But I can’t. How could I be so callous to not consider those whose homes are destroyed or at the very least are dealing with damages that will take a long time to restore. Our awareness of hurting people should be even stronger in times like this as well as the urgency to pray for their peace, comfort, and resilience. We should also be praying for first responders, emergency relief organizations and those who are providing love and support in tangible ways.

I don't take my comfort for granted because I’ve been through some mighty serious storms in life, and in weather. In fact, I could be right here in the comfort of my home and still be reeling from storms that could be in and around me. I could be completely lost and hopeless -- longing for inner peace and rest in my soul. How grateful I am that I found that God's goodness and mercy did follow me in those times because I found that safe place in the person of Jesus Christ, and what a difference it has made in the many storms I’ve encountered.

There will always be storms in our lives. It’s predictable whether they are from the forces of natural disasters or those from the pain of broken relationships, disappointments, discomfort from illness or loss of loved ones. In all those storms, no matter what comes our way, there is only one Constant that can carry us through each and every storm. We can be hope-filled conquerors because our trust is in God, our Good Shepherd Who promised His goodness and mercy to be with us.

Maybe life seems overwhelming from the storms you may be in today. I've been there and each time I found my answers, my peace and my comfort in the One who is our Good Shepherd. I realize those overwhelming circumstances drew me to the Source of answers, the stable foundation, and my shelter in the storm. I urge you to go there for your place of refuge today. I pray that Jesus' words to the disciples as they were reeling in fear and despair are His words to calm you today: "Peace, be still". In the meantime, let's PRAISE HIM in the storm! And, may His goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life.

What Does Favor Look Like? ·

FAVOR -- approval, an act of kindness beyond what is usual; good deed, act of kindness, courtesy, honor, gratify,

Ever heard these words "Will you do me a FAVOR?" More than likely they're asking for an act of kindness. Then there's the party FAVOR -- a small gift given to the guests at a party as a gesture of thanks for their attendance or a memento of the occasion. More than any other FAVOR, that I seek on a daily basis, is the FAVOR of GOD aka THE FOG! We pray for God's favor in both good times and bad -- that we'd sense the reality that we're one of God's children, one of God's favorites, and wait expectantly for what God will do for us.

On this "mission" that Karen and I have been on -- we have sought God's FAVOR for the timing and the wisdom on advertising, organizing, among the zillions of other "have to's" to put on an estate sale for our dear Mother. Right from the get go, we were awakened to a sense of divine expectation. Though God always works in our lives in countless ways, revealing so many wonders -- there's just something about living each day with holy anticipation.

Praying for God's FAVOR instead of wishful thinking has certainly made way for His favor over the last two days. We expected to have a 3-day sale but our first day exceeded our greatest expectations and then yesterday, Day 2 -- which seemed would be rained out, only proved that rain doesn't matter to diehard Estate Sale goers. A prayer marked by faith is never about what happens on our terms or timelines, but God's. We prayed throughout the preparation of this sale for the Favor of God. And we found God's wisdom AND favor -- His goodness and mercy not just following us, but chasing us down.

For just the ideal person to stop by that needed that one item we had. Or the one little item that completed a set of something or that school teacher going through the Oklahoma Teacher's Strike that found exactly what she wanted for her children, or the next door neighbor who had her five grandchildren this weekend -- and what a great place to take each one, individually, to the sale and give them $5 each to buy what they wanted, or the lady who just HAD to have a freezer quickly, and our ad popped up. Or the Mom and daughter whose washer & dryer were beyond repairs and ours was priced right for them. Or the couple who was in for the Gun Show that just happened to see our signs and stopped by, only to find items they had been looking for.

Really? God's goodness and mercy are following us? His FAVOR is chasing us? Isn't that just like our Heavenly Father -- pursuing us and chasing us with His desire to bless us and do good things for us? It's not just enough to be followed by His goodness and mercy. No, He is relentless in pursuing us -- every single day, and He wants to catch us. So, let's look for Him. We'll surely find Him as we notice those times when God's goodness and mercy catch up with us. Let's slow down enough today.....so goodness, mercy and God's favor can catch us.....and never let us go!

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

Only New Chapters in This Book

There is so much in store for us today....and the days to come. Why do we insist in continuing to re-read the past chapters of our LIFE book, and wish we'd done things differently, or said words we wish we could take back, or thought "if only".

It's time for us to let the past be the past because, there are greater things than we can imagine ahead of us --and there's a great God walking beside us whose purpose is at work WITHIN US. He is GUIDING our lives with His wisdom and love, and His goodness and mercy are FOLLOWING us all the days of our lives. We just can't go wrong when we realize our all encompassing, all knowing, and all loving God wants HIS BEST in our lives.

I love the Message Bible's translation of Ephesians 3:20 "God can do anything, you know -- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" So today, let's start writing the next chapter of our lives -- it's sure to be the chapter that makes OUR book a best seller!!!