A Bittersweet Providence

When our new mission asked us to move down to Sicily my heart was broken, I loved our ministry in the North, I loved my friends and church. After seeking God's direction we moved down. We packed our whole house, left what I still think it was the best house we have ever had, friends and a minstry that we loved and knew and took off on a 2 day moving journey. Once in Sicily we struggled finding a place to live. In a couple weeks Josh was leaving to go to the States for three months. On a nice Sunday potluck at church we were frightned by the noise of a car crashing into another car...that other car was ours!! In a few weeks I found myself houseless, carless, away from our known ministry and friends, my husband was leaving and I got to move back with my parents while waiting for his return. I felt like Job. I had only two things that I cared for and I was afraid the Lord would take even those away as He did for the rest.

Thankfully the three months went by, albeit very slowly and after visiting all the churches he had to visit Josh finally came back. 

That year a new book was released by John Piper "A sweet and bitter providence", Josh managed to get me the book. The book follows the story of Naomi and how when her husband and her kids died she was bitter. The Lord had taken from her everything. They left because of a famine, went to a foreign land and there both her husband and sons died. It seemed like circumstances were so bad to Naomi and if we would stop here it would seem as if it was the worst story in history. Yet the story has a twist and a lesson for us to learn.

God had a wonderful plan but His plan included sorrows. We all know the rest of the story...Ruth followed Naomi and helped her provide food for the two of them and then she got married to Boaz. Ruth's son, Naomi's grandson, was to become and ancestor of king David and ultimately an ancestor of the great King, Jesus Christ. Naomi would have never imagined that, in her mind, her life was done. 

In our life we may be going through a storm, we may feel like we have lost everything but the thing that we need to remember is that God has a perfect plan and that sometimes His plan includes sorrows. We need to remember that nothing happens by accident but that in all things God has perfect control. God orchestrates all things for the good of those who love Him. I would like to end with a quote from J. Piper

"When we believe in the sovereignty of God and that he loves to work mightily for those who trust Him, it gives a freedom and a courage that isn't abandoned in hard times."

Let's take courage in knowing that God doesn't forget us but is planning for our best!