What Happens Today

Family - The Joy, The Pain, The Struggle God puts us in families.  And He puts family in us. It's inescapable. Whether your family is by birth, adoption, or friendship, a powerful knitting has happened. Family is a gift and a great teacher. In His wisdom, God has placed us with certain individuals. For those of you whose families are by birth, you didn't have a choice; but God did. He knew what He was doing. Whether you're a parent, a spouse, or a child, you are placed. At times it may seem hard or even ridiculous to try and find good out of the struggles we as families can go through. But we must search for a way to see the good; for it is there. Without the challenges of teenage children, I would not have learned patience. Without seeing an adult child suffer, I would not have learned compassion. Without raising a toddler, I would not have learned to teach. I've learned companionship and friendship from my siblings. I've felt support from my parents. I

A word of encouragement for you ... Be still and know that He is God. Whatever you're going through, He is God. He rides above your storms and He is Lord of all. And bottom line, when all is said and done, He is good. He is good to you and His intentions are good. He always has your best in mind. His heart towards you is for your good. In your life, He will leave no stone un-turned; He will not leave you as you are - He loves you too much for that. His goal is you, conformed into the image of Jesus, made like Jesus. This will glorify Him and bring honor to Him. And this worth, this value, this precious jeweled reflection will be carried with you into heaven and your reward will be great. The trials you suffer through are not in vain. They bring both temporal and eternal rewards. "I discipline those I love," says the Lord, your God. I am your reward, I am your portion, and you are Mine. I love you my son, my daughter, my child.

Today I would like to thank my guest blogger, my daughter Kaitlyn. Here is a moving account she wrote for one of her college courses. Enjoy. Take a look at the classroom we are sitting in. I’d bet that everyone’s homes are bigger than this room,  right? Imagine living in a room half this size with 6 or 7 other people. This is a reality for people in  Haiti, a country size of Maryland that is home to 9 million.  Today I’ll be talking about Alexandra, a girl I  sponsor in Haiti, and how meeting her and the people of Haiti has profoundly influenced my life.  The way of life in Haiti is one of gratitude. The people are happy just to talk with you, to braid hair, and  to laugh. Despite the lack of a common language, kids crowd around you; they are just happy to sit and  have you hug them. At church and at meals, everyone just seems to slow down- it it less about a  goal or destination, and more about enjoying those around you and just being grateful for the time to talk  and share.