Joyful and Sorrowful All At The Same Time ...

We are so privileged to be used and brought along to see what God is doing in the lives of people around us. This morning we sang in worship " How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin - good song!
I got to thinking this afternoon; can we sing this song and mean it when things feel like they are turning upside down?

This morning we had an announcement at church that had the potential for drama, bitterness, anger etc. Instead of that, we saw God at work in a very real way. Yes there were tears and signs of emotion, but by the end of the meeting, there was a peace in the room that surpases ALL understanding.

I have to admit, this is one of the first times I have seen such an immediate and precise answer to my prayers. It has been most the amazing thing to be part of. One of my prayers was that God would use what was going to be announced as a "teachable moment". How Father chose to answer that prayer, has left me in awe and with a reminder of HOW GREAT our Father is!"

One young woman's response to this news was that she wanted to be baptized; then upon hearing that news, another woman's immediate response was that she too, wanted to be baptized. Both of these women are part of the last lifegroup I was involved in and I have been praying for them off and on for months. The excitement leading up to these baptisms was intense after such an emotionally draining day.

Who would have guessed that this announcement was going to be used as a catylist for this step in faith and obedience? THEN to add to this "miracle", as we drove into camp (where the baptism was going to be held) a new brother in Christ ( who is also the husband of the one baptizee) meets us in the driveway and announces that he wants to be baptized as well. He asked that we not tell anyone; he wanted to surprise his wife, family and friends.

there were friends of mine there tonight that needed a very real reminder of what God has done in the last few years. This was the absolute PERFECT way to show and remind us all that God is good; God is love and God is in control. The mix of emotions that are going around inside of me right now is so intense; but so very neat! I am reminded of the verse from Paul that we as Christians are the only ones that can experience both joy and sorrow at the same time.

I am going to bed tonight with the incredible reminder that MY Father, who is joined with me for all eternity; is good ALL the time; He will use ALL things for HIS good; AND of course that HE is in control!

Thank you Father for every single part of today.The good, and the incredibly good. I look forward to what you are going to do in the coming weeks, months and years; in and through our little church family!

That's all for now

Jacqueline