December 20, 2020
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Funny thing about this verse! It originally made me very angry. My mother mailed it to me, couched in one of her letters, sent shortly after I left home. I was 1500 miles away, beginning my sophomore year of college. I had never felt such anger before, angry at her due to our first serious falling out, weeks before I was to return to school. How dare her say what was right for me! After all, I was 18 years old and had made good decisions most of my life. And how dare she use scripture to have the last word in our argument! As if that would be the salve that would heal my wounded spirit.
Funny thing about this verse! It just doesn’t go away. Numbers of times in my life, in the midst of something difficult or sad or hurtful, this verse jumps into my memory and calms my troubled heart. Instead of a youthful response of anger, now Romans 8:28 encompasses me with peace and understanding that can only come from God.
There are no instant “fixes” in our lives, but believe me when I say, God is completely aware of our most personal needs, even before we are. He is to be trusted in all things; He works for the good of those who love him; He calls us to respond according to his purpose. Thank you, mother, for sending me this verse and allowing me to grow into understanding it.
I testify to this truth: God is ever present in our lives. His love covers us completely! Thanks be to God!
Nancy Berry