((Hugs)) From God

I’m in a trial.  A storm.
It’s not fair.
I am missing out on so much.
It’s not fair.
I had dreams and plans and will never get a second chance at them.
It’s just not fair.

See the pattern? “I” is the problem here. “I” seems to have forgotten what John 3:30 says … “He must become greater. I must become less.”

Yes, I am in a storm.  But “I” seems to have forgotten the past few days that nothing touches my life that has not gone through His hands first. He knows what He’s doing.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [Jeremiah 29:11]

“I” may think this storm is not fair.  “I” may not understand this storm.  But, this storm has a purpose and He has allowed it. Who am I to question God?

Then the LORD answered … out of the storm.  He said: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? … “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” [Job 38]

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55]

“I” has to daily remind herself that God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful [1 Corinthians 1:9].

And one of the many ways He is faithful in my life is by sending me ((hugs)).  A sunset, a beautiful majestic tree standing tall, a smile from my child, a phone call from my husband just because, a cool breeze across my face, a song on the radio at just the right time … whatever it is that makes me stop for a moment and smile … that is a ((hug)) from God.  And sometimes, a hug is just enough to remind me I’m not alone.  To help me hang on one more day.

I had forgotten that recently. Forgotten to watch for God’s ((hugs)).  Forgotten, that is, until a friend texted me a picture … an amazing picture that she had taken on her way home, but an amazing picture that only God could paint.

I gasped … and smiled … and kept smiling for days whenever I thought of that picture.  God had sent me yet another ((hug)).  And that hug was enough to get me back on track … into God’s Word … where there are more hugs than I could ever handle!

I wanted to share that with you today.  Remember, nothing touches your life that has not gone through His hands first.  This includes trials, storms, and yes, even hugs.

So, what ((hug)) has God sent to you today?