Life has a funny way of reminding you that life is mercurial. 

From something as huge as “I didn’t see that coming,” to something as small as “I had planned a small sabbatical from writing but something changed that.”  I find myself this morning in the latter. Let me explain. This past weekend was supposed to include a trip to PA to celebrate my brother’s 50th year in the ministry. Then I was invited to an adoption of a young girl into her forever family. Today. Monday, March 23.  Zara will become Gwendolyn today (her name choice). This family has adopted two others recently and I have been able to be a part of that celebration. I couldn’t miss this one! This family has 3 biological children of their own and this will make 10 (currently) in their family of adoption and fostering. They have had others down through the years. Long story short, due to the amount of travel which would be required and long hours on the road on Sunday, I changed my plans. 50 years in the ministry is nothing to shake a stick at for sure. Mine went by quietly several years ago. 

Well…that’s an explanation I’m not sure you wanted to hear. But what I learned over the weekend in my reading is what I really want to share. My change of plans slowed me down some, enough to read the following and to “listen” to what was being said. From Journey to the Cross by Paul David Tripp I read the following (different passages are separated by dotted lines):

The story of Jesus guarantees how your story will end…In our smallness, we wonder if our lives will turn out the way we hoped and dreamed…No, you won’t get much of what you hoped for and probably few of your dreams. But…what you will get as God’s child is way better than anything you could’ve hoped for and incomparably better than your brightest dream…God doesn’t guarantee you’ll get your temporary dream; what he guarantees you is forever….In fact, because of the grace of Jesus, the end of your story is that it has no end!  {Pages 189-192}

This coming Sunday is traditionally called Palm Sunday. It begins the “wind down” to the final week of Jesus’ life on earth. That final week is one for the ages, culminating in His death and ultimate resurrection. All of it backs up what Tripp wrote about: the end of our story has no end. The resurrection proved that. 

I hadn’t planned on posting today, but after reading that this weekend, how could I not? Jesus Won. We Win. Does it get much better than that? I think not.