Characteristics of God - Good
Next week, our summer comes to an end. I go back to work, teaching seventh graders English Language Arts. The routine of the school year becomes our norm and things will settle into a different season - not by the calendar per se, but another season of life will commence.
This summer season has been one of transition for our family. All three of our daughters are hitting life-altering milestones that affect us in a variety of ways. The oldest is moving to graduate school the furthest from home she has ever wandered. The middle is learning to drive and as they are both in pursuit of more independence, we are learning a new dependence on the One who is always with them. The youngest has shut the door on the elementary school parenting season and is excitedly embracing the middle school, preteen gateway as she begins the sixth grade. We just hope and pray we are ready for what comes next.
This summer season has also been one of waiting and watching for our family. My husband is between ministry positions. We have been praying and pursuing next steps with open hearts and hands for whatever plans and purposes God is preparing for us next. There is a lot of uncertainty here, but we are both certain that He is working.
This summer season has been a lot. But, this summer season has been good.
Four years ago when the oldest graduated high school and I found myself spiraling in reflections of the past mingled with the inevitability of the future’s changes, a friend offered me a lifeline by asking me what was “good” about the graduation season. My focus was pulled off of my aching heart and fixed onto the One in charge of it all. I could see Him at work. I could see the things He was doing in her life and my own. I could see His goodness in all of the everything else.
Fast forward to this summer, while I won’t pretend to have it altogether, I can say that this lesson learned years ago is still reaping benefits. I am wrestling my thoughts and my feelings from my doubts and my fears to what I can clearly identify as God’s goodness being displayed within and through all the transitions and uncertainties of this summer season.
For example:
The oldest’s move in date was postponed a week due to complications on the part of the apartment complex’s website. This was definitely an added stressor at first, but as God revealed in His timing, some of my momma fears were relieved and she saw Him work out all the details on her behalf. He is good.
The middle’s driving attempts have not been nearly as scary as I had been anticipating. She has remained cool and calm under pressure. For instance, when she was driving down the road her high school is on, she almost drove off the side (why there is no emergency lane there is beyond me). While she was checking her speedometer and review mirrors, she quickly adjusted, without over correcting, and recovered nicely. She continued the lesson, never really knowing how bad it could have been. He is good.
The youngest is more excited than scared about beginning middle school. She can’t wait to be in the same building I am in. We took a girls’ trip to Nashville and had ALL the conversations. It was a sweet time as we both began to see the blessings of our relationship growing into something special for her teen years. He is good.
We have found a sweet church to minister in and be ministered to during this transitional season. The preaching is solid. The worship is special. The fellowship is sweet. We’ve joined a small group and I’ve volunteered to help with the preschoolers. He is good.
Financially, God has stretched dollars and provided extras. As we’ve sought to be good stewards and obedient servants with the knowledge that it is all His anyways, we have not shied away from Spirit promptings to be generous. For instance, at a teacher professional development recently, I wanted to buy the lunch of another teacher I was with. We headed to my favorite sandwich spot and ordered. When I went to pay, I learned that God had already taken care of her lunch. I had enough loyalty points saved up that the “extra” meal was free. He is good.
I could go on and on. I could talk about the laughs we’ve shared and the inside jokes we’ve made as a family. I could mention the late night games and conversations that I will always cherish. I could describe the bond I’ve witnessed my daughters form with one anther through giggles and tears. These days have been rich with God’s goodness toward my family.
I am actively choosing to see these evidences of God’s goodness in conjunction with His other character traits. I am seeing His goodness interwoven into His mysteriousness, His sovereignty, and His steadfastness - as I have already written about on this blog. I have seen these character traits displayed in His actions as I am reading through the Old Testament (He isn’t all judgment and condemnation like many assume). As a result, I know that no matter what the next season holds that His goodness will also be interwoven into and displayed in our next season too.
In the past, for the present and into the future “Truly, God is good . . .” (Psalm 73:1a)