God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

We've had some tough times around here lately. We've sought extra therapy for Alex in hopes of convincing him to eat more than the dozen things he eats now. We need God to find Miranda a new speech therapist as her current therapist gave us our last session today because she has to have surgery tomorrow and take a break for a while. Marshall's father is ill and Marshall's blood sugar numbers are back up again.

But I have seen, in only the last week, God work amazing miracles in my life and in the lives of others that I love. He's healed broken hearts, broken relationships, and broken bodies. He's freed people from years of baggage and given them real, concrete hope for the future. I am in tears here, right now, remembering what I've seen only the last 2 weeks of my life.

I'm thinking I should spend this Lenten season praising God for all the good things in my life, because the more I think about it, the longer the list becomes. And the more I praise him, the more I am filled in joy and peace, which is what I need to face whatever may come.

My mother shared this scripture with me this morning, and it was exactly what I needed to hear.

1 Peter 4 (The Message)

Learn to Think Like Him

^1-2Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want....

^7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Glory Just Around the Corner

^12-13Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

^14-16If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!

^17-19It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message!

If good people barely make it,
What's in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Amen.