28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j] who[k] have been called according to his purpose.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[l]
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All things does indeed mean ALL things. While here the reference is to the early persecuted believers in Christ, and the real danger and peril they faced because of their faith, this passage also speaks to believers today.
The Lord is at work. He is at work for our good. And goodness means completion. Maturity. Refining and finishing.
Nothing is wasted with the Lord. And when the cup is bitter, it is for His glory that I agree to find His sweetness and faithfulness in every last sip. The world may bring it, but our Lord reigns.
Somehow in the midst of chronicling Emma Kate's journey home, we also chronicle Luke's journey and our families walk with epilepsy. We are still so new to the world of seizures, and have much to learn.
For me, as the mother, learning to stand up and have a voice, and be an advocate for Luke is part of my journey. Asking for second opinions, being persistent in calling insurance, searching out referrals, making awkward phone calls to generous doctors who share empathy and help show the way. This is all hard for me. And I'm doing it anyway.
The Lord moved a literal mountain for us this week. It was huge one, and felt overwhelming and smothering. I was so filled with stress and fear on Sunday and Monday that I literally had a hard time breathing. That feeling of knowing your throat is closing in and your chest is tight.
Casting myself on the mercy of the Lord. I imagined gripping the horns on the mercy seat and calling out, "save us!". And He came.
To calm my heart even as our circumstances didn't seem to change.
And to conquer then even the circumstances.
An appointment. In network. A great referral.
And these words, "Well, we are booking out into September right now. Let me see....oh, wait a minute. This is really strange. We just had a cancelation...do you think you could come in on June 29th?"
And with that, I watched the Lord shatter our mountain. Poof. Gone.
And more than that, I felt God the whole time upholding us in our fear, strengthening us for the day, and faithfully taking care when we knew not what was next. He always does. He is faithful.
We trust. And He cannot be moved.
This week I have leaned heavily on the truth that my Lord is working for the good of our family that knows and loves him. And by good I don't just mean circumstantial good. I mean eternal good. The things that last.
My prayer is that as we walk this out, we are indeed the sweet aroma of Christ to those who believe with us AND those who don't.
In Christ alone.
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