There’s a verse that I’ve probably heard more than the familiar John 3:16. It is Romans 8:28 which states:
ALL things work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
Now, I’ve typically heard this verse from friends and family in times when I was stressed about something or in times of trouble. In fact, I even use it to encourage others more often than not. Does it get old and repetitive? Yes, but only because I realize just how much of the Bible I don’t know when it is chock-full of encouraging and life-giving verses. It just makes me long for more and more intimacy with him and his Word. Upon second thought, however, I realize that this verse has been somewhat thematic in my life.
Recently, God has really blessed me through my family and friendships. My family has always supported me through everything I do and have constantly encouraged me even in through the most difficult and challenging times. He really has worked things all out for his good. For instance, last August before leaving on the World Race the second time, my harddrive crashed on my laptop. It was so frustrating as I was leaving in just two days. But through my sister Bethany’s love and support, she kindly lent her computer for my use as I’d be blogging out on the field. He used HER to complete his purposes and work things for the GOOD according to his purpose as I’d be ministering to so many people through my blogs. He brought it into alignment.
I already mentioned in a previous blog how God provided through my friend Sarah for me to go to Haiti in January and how my old high school covered my ground costs. Seriously, God knew the work that would be done in Haiti and he worked it out once again. But this time, he blended two familiar stories into one as I prepare to leave for Haiti on Tuesday.
I’m a few days away from leaving for Haiti again when my sister’s computer crashes. This is now the second computer right before I’m about to leave for the field. Needless to say, I was frustrated and discouraged. I asked God why in the world did this have to happen again? I’m not under warranty with either of the computers so the costs to repair it would be expensive to say the least. Money which I DO NOT have. Well, here’s where God’s amazing plan just baffles me. I have a friend who works with computers. He not only replaced the harddrive with one that holds twice the amount of memory for free but installed the newest operating system for free as well. As far as the other crashed computer, it is getting sent in for repairs for a price CONSIDERABLY less than what I would have had to do without connections. And as if God hadn’t blessed me enough, this friend also gave me his tent for use in Haiti as well because I had to ditch mine after a violent time battling Irish weather last year. So even in the most frustrating and discouraging hour, God says, “See Aaron, even this I will work for good. Two crashed computers and no tent, pff, no problem”
And it’s so true. Isn’t he marvelous in that way??? I’m blown away by his goodness and his meticulous design.
So I thought I’d share that story as I prepare for my departure on Tuesday. I can’t wait to get back down to Haiti and see how he is moving down there. I will be working closely with the STM (Short Term Missions) department in Port-au-Prince while I will be setting up for the World Race June Relief Trip and the July squad launch over the summer. I will be there until March 25th and I look forward to blogging some stories from there. After that, I’ll be reuniting with the J-squad in Thailand for a debrief!!! So excited about that. Praise God for his goodness and bringing ALL things together for good.
