Apr 08
Today’s Truth
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,”
Romans 8:28
Friend to Friend
I love Romans 8:28.
Now, let me be honest…sometimes I don’t.
When I am going through a dark time of loss or disappointment, and someone throws a sloppy coat of Romans 8:28 on 
my open wound, I just want to scream.
There. I said it.
What does God mean by “all things” anyway? I looked it up in my Greek dictionary and guess what it means—it means “all things.” I was hoping for something a little different.
“All things” includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. In every dark circumstance of life, there is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. However, for that to happen, we must get out of the dirt, push it aside, and look beneath the surface.
Is it easy? No.
Is it messy? Usually.
It is worth it? Always.
Many years after we had lost our second child, I was standing in the doorway of my sleeping sixteen-year-old son’s bedroom. He was a tangle of sheets and limbs. Steven was six feet tall, needed a shave, and sported a mass of shaggy thick brown hair. Drool slid down his jaw, and a hairy leg hung off the bed.
Man, I love this kid, I thought to myself. Then a prayer slipped off my lips.
“Lord,” I prayed, “you know how much I love children, and how I always longed to have a houseful of kids. Why was there just one?”
Then, God’s Word washed over me: For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
“Is that You Lord?” I asked.
Again the words flowed. For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The words washed over me like a spring rain on parched ground. It was a moment of sudden glory. For the first time in my life, I truly grasped the height, the depth, and the breadth of those familiar words.
See, I have a one and only son. There are many people whom I love in this world, but there is no one…no one…that I love enough to sacrifice my one and only son. And yet, God loved me so much He did just that. He loved you so much He did just that. He sacrificed His one and only Son in order to save us from the penalty of sin and give us eternal life.
With tears streaming down my cheeks, I thanked God for helping me truly understand John 3:16—for giving me a living, breathing, walking (and sometimes sleeping) example of His great love. And if that was the only purpose behind the years of infertility and loss of a child, then that was enough.
It was Romans 8:28. It was good.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your great love for me. Thank You for giving Your Son for me. Open my eyes to see moments of sudden glory where You make Your presence known in my life. I love You so much.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
More From the Girlfriends
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You’ve comforted me. Only my daughter is left with me, I’ve lost everyone (five in utero and two live births in four years after age 39, lost my son to foster care, then my mother-inlaw, then my husband). We were innocent….
My daughter and I were left to suffer alone. It was SO hard on her. As an adult, my son wants nothing to do with us. It is so painful. The Lord promised me restoration, but the wait is so hard – 22 years already.
Thank the Lord I come from 5 generations of missionaries – my roots in Him are DEEP. He’s never let me down. He won’t start now! Blessings!
Your words were what I needed to hear. So many times after suffering through infertility, I thought why me? Why do others have children so easily, yet I struggle for the one thing I want most, God blessed me with two beautiful children after many struggles. I still have embryos and while I can’t carry them I pray for God to lead me down the right road with my frozen angels. I can now see how God have the ultimate sacrifice and I need to remember that when I’m feeling lost and ungrateful. Thank you – I need to trust his plan
18 months ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer: three surgeries, 7 months of chemo, 2 months of radiation. Immediately upon completing treatments, I left for Tennessee to stay with my mother for 6 weeks so she could be in home hospice. She went home to “sit at the feet of Jesus” shortly after I arrived. I came home to find that my husband had suffered a series of TIAs (mini-strokes) in my absence. It was a very difficult year! During all our struggles, I was amazed at how much we were surrounded by loving family, friends and church family. In the midst of it all, I was covered up with love and care. My relationships with many of these angels has deepened greatly. My husband and I have found that our faith in God and in each other is stronger than ever before. I wouldn’t trade that time for anything now. “In all things, give thanks”.
There are many times I question Romans 8:28. How can “all” things work for good. When prayers prayed for so long seem unanswered. Yet God says to ask and you will receive etc. I have to accept by faith His word is true and He will do as He says He will do. Lord I believe help my unbelief.
I know that’s right, my sister! Believe and Receive!!!
Today, as I read this devotion, am 10 days out from MY second son’s birthday which is also the date on which he died. He would have been 46 and he has been in heaven 27 years. I hate that we are in the same “club” but rejoice that we both have God’s word and promises. Bless you. Oh how I enjoy Y’all’s devotions each day. Thanks!
I’m one of those that is childless. Even after undergoing infertility treatment. It just never worked When I begged The Lord. I continually question “WHY?” I haven’t come to grips with this in the twenty five years later. I see no good from it. I see women who have abortions but still produce children now. “WHY?” It still hurts. I have no answers this side of heaven. Thanks for letting me voice my pain.