Christian Living

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God’s Goodness And Greatness Realized
© 2006
by

Stephen A. Peterson


Twelve year Emily, her brother and mother were quests in the Finley home. “You know what,” she remarked during dinner, “our family is so very fortunate!”

“In what way?” Cindy Finley asked. How could she make such a statement? Her father had died seven years earlier. Since his death, Emily and her family had experienced nothing but hard times it would seem.

Without hesitation, Emily began listing her blessing. “Tracey, my cousin, nearly lost her leg when she was in car accident. She was in the hospital for three weeks, but now she’s okay and able to walk again just like nothing ever happened. Most of our Scottish terrier puppies died, but the ones that lived are so cute! Even though they are so small, they like chasing everything. Yesterday they chased every butterfly, squirrel and rabbit that came in our yard. They never caught anything, but it was so funny to watch! Uncle Frank and aunt Melissa’s house caught on fire last month in the wild fires in Oklahoma City. They got out okay and they were able to get most of their valuable stuff out. The house is a complete loss. They told me and mom that they are going to re-build with their insurance money.” Emily turned her sunny smile on saying, “See? God really takes care of us. I’m so lucky! Isn’t God great and good?”

Cindy Finley did see and understand what this young twelve old was saying. Emily’s family had faced nearly every problem imaginable. In the face of all these events in her young life. Emily was never without hope. It can be said that the hopeful person sees success where others see failure or loss, sunshine where others see shadows and storms. Emily always saw sun, never shadows.

Hope, Cindy Finley realized, is more than simply looking forward or, at the least, wishing for future happiness. It’s essence—and the secret of victorious living in spite of tragedies that intrude upon the lives of every living human from time to time. It lies in seeing the good in every circumstance God permits to come into our lives.

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