God's Plans and Timing

As Christians we all say some pretty basic things about our "walk." We say things like, "God's never late/He's always on time;" "God's timing is perfect." We remind people, in times of difficulty, of Romans 8:28 which says, ^"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I'd like to share with you how I know these things to be true, specifically, in my life.

About 18 years ago a man named, Bill Clark, feeling led of God, left his hometown and successful business. His wife, Pat, was in a place of management at her job.  Their sons, Mike and Will, were in junior high and high school with friends they'd known their whole life. They moved to a town where they only knew one other family, Bill's sister and her family.

Starting from scratch, they struggled to maintain the business and Pat had much difficulty finding a job. They struggled for a long time, but Bill finally gave up his business and went to work for someone else and Pat found a job with nowhere near the benefits of her previous job.

When Bill and Pat found a church they could call home, it was 20 minutes away.  However, it was the right fit for them and their family. They lead youth and their sons eventually became a part of the worship team.  Will and Mike even found girlfriends through this church.

Fast forward a few years....Bill and Pat are managing at their respective jobs but certainly not without difficulty by way of illness, injury and finance.  Mike has the same girlfriend but Will has moved on. 
It just so happens Mike's girlfriend, Amy, goes to school with someone she thinks might be interested in Will. So it becomes a setup.  Amy has her friend, Elaine, drive her the 20 minutes to Will and Mike's house to meet the family.

Fast forward again...Will and the "setup," Elaine get married followed the next year by Mike and Amy.  Today Will & Elaine and Mike & Amy have given Bill and Pat 1 grandchild in Heaven and 7 here on earth.

Why go through that whole story? To tell you! God's timing is perfect, "He works all things for the good of of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I'm sure Bill and Pat wondered why God brought them from their, "good" life just to be trapped by the pain and struggle of this path. We may wonder why God's taken us on a particular journey and maybe you question whether you're even walking in His will. But PLEASE consider He may working out his purpose through you and maybe not specifically for you. That's a tough one to swallow, I'm sure. But if Bill and Pat had given up and run back to what was comfortable and safe, I wouldn't have my husband or 5 children, who I love so dearly!

Review of Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

I began reading this book and was immediately caught by how the author and his wife's anecdotes sounded so similar to the relationship I share with my husband of 12 years.

This book teaches the reader about the "Crazy Cycle: without love she reacts--without respect he reacts." It promises healing in the marriage, an end to loneliness in marriage, peace and a feeling of being understood, a marriage God intended and more. How can this be? Well, it's not with a "magic bullet" it's with the application and committment of specific ideas for a set amount of time. These are real ways you can change the day to day interaction between you and your spouse.

You will be glad you read it and happier that you implemented it in your marriage and relationships!