Thursday; August 4

Thirty years ago this week our family moved to Pierre, South Dakota. Now, up until that time, I am not sure I could have told you where South Dakota was (of course, I hadn’t really given it much thought). I probably would have said it was south of North Dakota and maybe, just maybe, I would have known it was home to Mount Rushmore (but even that might have been questionable). However, that week thirty years ago shaped our lives. Our family has been gone from the Northern Plains for a decade now, but the events that transpired in Pierre in 1992 had a significant impact on us (and have had a ripple-effect that influenced others). While I would like to say that the events that led us to that move were delightful, the truth is we were coming off of a difficult time in our lives. The move was abrupt and rather painful; however, had we not gone through what we went through in the months and years leading up to the transition, our lives and our influence would have been much different – and maybe not as significant. As I have reflected on August, 1992 Paul’s observation, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) has been on my mind. Not everything we go through is pleasant, but when it is placed in God’s hands it can become productive.

What are you going through right now? Are you experiencing growing pains, or have you been forced to make a transition in your life? Hang in there and stay faithful to God because you just never know what He can do with you where you are – or where you are going.

Think About It!

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