Impressed

These next few weeks I know that many of my thoughts will be a reflection of the project that I am 15 other women in my group have taken on: "Read the Bible in 90 days." One line that was mentioned in the tape this week was: "We should never be surprised at what God can do...impressed yes but surprised no." That is one of those jeweled remarks that I will put in my treasure chest of remembrances. Because so many times when some things work out as they do...I am surprised...but instead of surprise I should just be continually impressed and send praises up tp Him for the mighty actions of HIS hand.

Yesterday I had a speaking engagement...and part of my story of how God works is the story how I watched God so clearly and without doubt hold the hand of our daughter Molly as she tackled cancer (Hodgkin)... and rally all of our family to help her travel through this part of her life journey. But it started with the expediency of a qualified team who worked quickly to line up her appointments for necessary tests, schedule surgeries, hook her up with the Oncology specialists, etc. Yesterday after I spoke...a precious lady named Blair came up to me and said: "I remember that day....the day that Dr. Muntz called Mark Wallace at TCH and told him of Molly's diagnosis....and asked for help on her behalf." "I was Mark Wallace's assistant at the time." Now really...what a small world...and I finally had a chance after almost five years to get a glimpse of who God was using was behind the networking to get things done so fast...It was her.

God is "impressive" and I so love it when he allows us a glimpse of how he works...and who he is working through. Sometimes he gives us the chance to see his work in action, other times he is working behind the scenes and we find ourselves wondering " is God even paying attention?" I am convinced that He is paying attention always.....to details... at all times... with all people....and works through all people. We may never get to meet the players on His team...or recognize their input but God knows just who they are and what purposes they will serve to accomplish his will. Blair was the one who helped to made the initial arrangements....adn finally God gave me a chance to meet one of his team players. The journey continued and arrangements were passed on to God's next chosen helper.

I just think we miss so much in the translation of daily life events. We miss the twists and turns of how something could have gone...or how something could have progressed..or how something could have landed.....becasue all we know is how it ended up. God is the orchestrator of all that happens in our lives...He either allows it or designates it but one thing we know he that he always USES IT...for His eventual good. He weaves it into something that is ultimately a rich lesson that will bring us closer to Him....as well as touch others who may be watching on the sidelines.

This is a past event that we seldom talk about...but it will remain always a footprint of God's grace and mercy and presence on the hearts of our whole family.. Molly is healthy...now approaching her 21st birthday...she was 16 when she was diagnosed... Did this change her?...Did it change us as a family? The answer is YES...in many ways.....for I think you will agree that whenever any of us go through trials of any sort....we must deal with challenges, opportunities, obstacles....and emotion....and draw on our FAITH. We learn of God's strength that is sent when we weak...we learn to trust when we are overcome with doubt....we learn of faithfulness and dependence on God as we acknowledge our own inadequacies...we learn of humility when we realize that we can't control life....but most of all we learn that we serve an awesome God who watches over us at all times and who never never never leaves us stranded and on our own....to handle life on our own.

Acts 26:22
But I have had God'shelpto this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike.


We all are going to be challenged through trails at one time or another...but what we must do is be ready....and the way to be ready is to already have a relationship with God in the works...welcome him into your life..and continue to allow him introduce himself personally to you. When we accept God as a friend and a confidant and a wise leader in our life....we will no longer be surprised by what he does or is able to do...we will merely be continually impressed by his works. God will not disappoint us ...he surely will challenge us....he surely will mold us and build us up according to the vision he has for our lives....but God will also transform us...in ways that we could never imagine. And sometimes he will let us peek into the windows of His workshop and see how he orchestrates or orchestrated things of the past.......regarding the events in our lives that we have experienced or experiencing now....and what a blessing when he does that!

Dear Lord, we do not know who you choose to designated workers on certain projects....we just knwo that al of us as your servants are candidates. Help us to be on the lookout for your opportunities to help others...and thank you for the daily blessings that you give to each us us as your help us. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

website:
www.cathyjodeit.com
email address: cjodeit@gmail.com