As some of you may know, my dear brother passed away unexpectedly on November 21, 2010. Although very shaken by this loss, I can’t help but share the good that has come out of it.
Sometimes we have to look for those blessings amid adversity. They are there.
Romans 8:28 tells us ‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.’
First of all, over 30 years ago God revealed himself to my brother’s Mother (also my dear Mother) during a time in her life when she really needed Him. He answered her cry. In the past 30 years, little did our Mother know what God was preparing her for.
Over these years she has studied the Bible which has laid for her a strong foundation and most of all faith in our Father. Has this event changed her life forever, absolutely; however, her faith has not been shaken.
I am so thankful that my Mother accepted the gift that God offered her that day. I am so thankful for the strong foundation that was laid over the years.
She has been instrumental in leading me to Christ. Her loving prayers and petitions for her family have been answered in so many ways.
Secondly, we had strife and estrangement between a father and a daughter. Through the death of my brother, there has been a reconciliation between them. God does not want us to have unforgiveness or strife, especially between a father and a daughter.
Ultimately, what is incredible is the following. In the days following my brother’s death, it weighed heavily on me to search for a new church to attend. I tried a church across town, but Shawn told me he would rather attend a church that is in our community. I visited a church very close to home and absolutely loved it.
Music motivates me and the worship band was outstanding. In the meantime, my brother’s daughter (who I hadn’t seen in years prior to my brother’s death)and I had been getting together so my stepson and her son (who are the same age) could play.
In my time with my niece, she had a lot of questions about God and the Bible. I invited her and her husband to church. We also started a Bible study in my home. My niece found Jesus and is getting the answers she needs to help her heal from losing her dear Dad.
Last weekend, our family took up over a row at church. My brother’s family has been coming to my church. I am in awe of how God has used this tragedy in our lives to not only bring this family closer to Him but to also bring a family together to worship Him.
You see, God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). He knows what that plan is way before circumstances hit us. He works it out in ways that are unforeseen to us. Sometimes we just look at our circumstances and refuse or are blind to see the blessings that come out of them. We need to take off our blinders and try to focus on what is good to see how ever-present God is in our lives.
There are blessings amid adversity, we just need to look for them. I see where God’s hand was. His invisible hand.
God is Good. I give Him all the glory!