We heard an illustration of that yesterday at Clarion's 84th Union Aid. This annual event finds all of our community church ladies' groups meeting together for a salad luncheon and a selected program. Speaker Kelly Kirstein talked about a middle school ecumenical girls' group which she began in our community nearly two years ago (CHICKS - Christ's Hands Influences Confidence Kindness Self-Control), after she had spent five months in bed, waiting the safe arrival of the couple's third child:

He Has Good Things in Store

"Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life…"
(Psalm 23:6, AMP)

"God has a plan to take every adversity, every hardship you go through and use it–not to beat you down and make your life miserable. No, God's dream is to take that difficulty and supernaturally turn it around and use it to bring you good. He will use those tough times to bring you out stronger, more mature, and prepared for promotion! Goodness, mercy, and unfailing love are God's plan for you!

"You may not understand everything that's going on in your life right now, but I encourage you to keep your head held high. Know that God is working in your life. Keep being faithful. Keep doing the right thing knowing that in the end God is going to turn things around in your favor. If God is for you, who can be against you? No one. Greater is the One who is in you than anyone who can be against you. No matter what's going on around you today, you can put your shoulders back and put a smile on your face because God has good things in store for your future!

"Father in heaven, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in my life. Thank You for all You've done for me in my past and for what You are preparing for my future. Help me keep my eyes on You. Help me stand strong in You and look for Your goodness all the days of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen."