Thursday morning before we left the hotel to do some running and take lunch to Braden (our grandson), who is doing school from home right now, I sat down and wrote some thoughts. I’d like to share them with you in this devotion.
Not all of life is going to be hunky-dory. To tell anyone it will be is a bold-faced lie and is from the mouth of the father of lies, the enemy himself. But that is not what I want to focus on this morning. Instead, I want to focus on God’s faithfulness through those tough times that have, do, and will come.
I think it is important to remember and recount some of the oh-so-many times God was faithful. I know these will not mean anything to you but they will be a good exercise for me.
- In high school I got the Hong Kong flu between Christmas and New Year’s. I was in bed, felt lousy on Christmas Day, missed 2-3 weeks of basketball practice…but no school. Hmmmm.
- I married my college sweetheart after some rough patches on her part (that would involve me) and here we are 47 1/2 years later.
- I am the father of two beautiful ladies and the grandfather of one amazing grandson.
- I was led to an associate ministry position in Akron, OH after graduation where I learned a lot (but not enough). I also cemented a friendship which began in college that has actually lasted longer than my marriage.
- I’ve lost my job several times-some due to my arrogance; once because I had stopped being legalistic; and once because I could not see myself as a CEO and could not function as one. I had a stopover where I found my heart again and now I will soon celebrate my 15th anniversary as pastor of OVCF.
- God has been faithful through tough financial times and provided when I had very little.
- He has seen me through the loss of family (mother and in-laws) and friends with extra strength and grace.
I could write more but that can be for another time. I’m grateful for God’s faithfulness. Now I’d like to challenge you to do the same thing. How about you? What could you write down?
“Father, thank you for your faithfulness. I am humbled by it all. Help me to never forget.”
Awesome, Bill! We have an awesome Father. I could write a large-bound book with all I am grateful for! Our God is so magnificent! Truly I don’t have adequate English words to speak my heart. Thank you for sharing your list. I’m proud to know you. God bless you.
Thanks Diane. I think your writer’s block has lifted. I’m glad to know you also.
There are so many things I could write down, Bill. It’s so important for us, especially when we are going through a tough patch, to remember all the ways God has been faithful in the past. We can count on Him to be faithful going forward.
Wonderful message on Sunday, my friend!
I think it is important to do that. I need to do that more often. And thanks for the kind words about the message.