Update #103

“we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good” Romans 8:28a

There was a period of my life where I felt like “Job-ette”. One December, during an unexpected cold spell, my primary household heater exploded in the wall; the following week I discovered my identity had been stolen and my bank accounts emptied; and within the next month, my grandmothers died within 20 days of each other. The first of February brought the news I needed to change careers – or consider loosing the use of my right ankle. Home, financial, family and career had all been decimated within six weeks.

As I look back I see how God restores all things:

· A man from my church specialized in heating installation. He came and fixed it free of charge – I just had to buy the parts. My dad came and re-plastered and painted the wall so it now looks like nothing ever happened. And my cat, Spooky, whose tail was singed in the explosion, came out from under the bed after about 2 weeks.
· Eight weeks and a FBI interview / investigation brought about the return of all but $200.00 of my stolen money (and I count that as a tithe to the government!). My bank did short term loans to help me pay bills, and contacted all my creditors to explain what had happened. They were able to make all the late and bounced payment fees disappear.
· Death separates, but it also unifies. Having one Gran die was hard. She had been ailing for years and her death was somewhat expected. The other was a complete surprise. I watched first my Mom then my Dad deal with their losses – and turn toward each other. I think in a strange way it deepened their relationship to walk through so much pain and grief together.
· I took the orthopedic surgeons warning seriously. I scaled back to half time clinical work and then went into full time clinical administration. Then I lost my job. I wandered around in unemployment land for over a year – but during that time I invested in a ministry that was helping others internationally. I had found my niche and flourished.

God is a good God. There is a verse in Romans chapter 8 that talks about how he turns all things to the good. If we love him, obey his precepts, principles and commands he will work out every situation so we win and succeed. Timing is the varying factor. Although I am sure that God acts with immediacy on our behalf sometimes we don’t see the results for months, years or even decades.

The question is, do you believe that God is good? With things crashing down, the world crumbling, things dying – do you believe that God has a master plan and that he is always good? To be absolutely honest, it took me awhile to grasp that God only gives good things and the bad is a result of circumstance, choice, and consequence.

But now that I understand God’s goodness, God’s grace, and God’s unending care and affection for me it is easier to face the “bad stuff.” I know it isn’t from him to “teach me something,” it isn’t a punishment, vengeance or retribution. It just is. Now that I know the bad stuff in life isn’t from God is it like I have an ally to help me fight it…if he isn’t against me he must with me! And with God on my side – Ha! – the bad stuff is going down!

Updates:
Living – I have been in my new place for about a month. It still feels surreal that I live here! I look out the windows and see the view, look at the high ceilings, new bathroom, kitchen, cozy lanai and am in awe of God’s goodness to me.
Condo – Still for sale. My past renter’s car has been moved (whoo hoo) but his lock is still on the storage unit. I am taking small steps forward to remedy the situation – I am thinking of having a lock cutting ceremony October 2nd!
Work – The Big Weekend is days away…September 18th everyone heads to Scott’s Valley, CA. I am in the throws of final details, prep and confirmations. Right after the retreat ends the teams start to leave – Cape Town, Chennai, and Jakarta.

Requests:
Condo – Please continue to pray that the property will sell. My realtor tells me that traffic through the unit is increasing…which is a really good thing.
Work – We are in need of an overall training lead for our January cycle. It is a full-time position and works not only domestically but internationally as well. Are there any alumni out there who have a passion for transformation, education, and working internationally?
Websites - If you would like to RSS my update vs. getting them by email visit my blog site http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/. To find out more about rēp visit http://www.repurposing.biz/ for information.