The Goodness of God!

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV  “¹³ I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  ¹⁴ Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Through a personal experience, I want to remind you today of the goodness of our God right here and right now – not just “in the sweet by-and-by.”  As I was coming to the end of eating as I have always known it, I was wondering about how I would manage to prepare for and eat only gluten-free when I travel to the nations.  God reminded me that He knew, when He called me to the nations and when He didn’t release me to travel until I was 50, that I would have to deal with celiac disease.  It wasn’t a surprise to Him.  When He made that clear, I was assured that He will guide me in the planning and in the eating when future trips come.

Immediately following that train of thought, He helped me understand another positive side of this whole situation.  You see, I’ve been aware of decreasing energy levels (beyond what should be “normal” at my age), and have wondered how I would keep going on these long trips without dragging and holding back the mission.  In one quick moment, the Lord helped me see that this new way of eating is going to allow Him to restore my energy to the proper levels, which will more than make up for the extra effort required for my food!

God is so good!  I know I still have to draw completely on His grace to do all that is required on these trips, even when I have more energy than I’ve had in a while.  But in His goodness to me right here and right now, He is helping me see what is necessary to work in conjunction with His grace, not contrary to it! I give Him all the glory!

I am excited to share this with you, because I know there are things He requires of each of you that take much effort and even take you out of your comfort zone – even if it has nothing to do with food.  When He does, however, you can remain confident that you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, for He is good and He has good for you!

Loving you today and every day, my precious sisters!

Kay

Got watermelons, anyone?  I know, from my experiences in both India and China, that there is wonderful fruit available in other lands.  As I find myself going back for seconds and thirds of this delicious fruit, however, I wonder if watermelons are among your choices.

My non-agricultural knowledge leaves me ignorant of what type of soil it takes to grow these sweet treats, or what specific weather and climate conditions.  If you enjoy them as much as I do, I hope your land and weather meet the criteria!

If you don’t have watermelons, I’m sure you have something equally as good that I don’t get here in North Carolina, USA.  It reminds me of when I left Florida and made a list of the things I would miss.  One of them was the amazing fragrance of the orange blossoms in the spring.  What did I find upon moving here but the most wonderful honeysuckle growing wild everywhere – not just in groves, as do the orange trees!  (We won’t mention how the honeysuckle will take over wherever it is, if it is left unchecked, but will only mention the good part for now. )

Even in things as simple and unimportant as a taste for watermelon, God has a way of replacing those things we willingly give up, as we follow His path for us, with delights from Him we can’t even conceive in our minds.  What are you wishing for today that you can’t find where you are?  Get ready to be delighted by the goodness of God in a new and different way!

Psalm 27:13 – 14 I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.