Day 371 Understanding God

First of all, let me say that I believe that all the study in the world will not make clear everything about God.

"As you do not know the path of the wind - so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."  Ecclesiastes 11:5

But it seems to me that, like in Genesis with Joseph, what we sometimes see as evil or a disaster, God can turn around for good.

This weekend, Cowboy Church and FAITH Foundation had a Rodeo Playday planned for the kiddos for yesterday, Sunday.  Lots and lots of work went into it from raising funds for the awards to the advertising, gathering items for a silent auction, food and refreshments, etc.  It grew from a small event to much more than anyone envisioned.  FAITH Foundation, and I hope I'm telling this correctly, was started by a lady named Wendy who we've prayed for before.  She has an incurable form of cancer that is currently in remission.  The focus of her foundation is to raise funds to help warriors fighting childhood cancer.  Everything was in place but on Saturday, it looked like the Lord had decided to bring about a second Flood.  Pastor called me about 6pm to say that the arena where the playday was to be held was so muddy that it would have to be canceled.

I could hear the exhaustion and disappointment in Pastor RO's voice.  All I could think was that there is a reason.  God will take this disappointment and turn it for good.  We may not understand it now but in time it will be revealed.  Sure enough, at Church yesterday, it was announced that the Playday has been rescheduled for June 1st, a Saturday, which means that members of other churches will be able to participate.  The next day, June 2nd, as it turns out is National Cancer Survivor Day.  How great to be better able to tie the Playday with the fight against cancer and the recognizing those who have won the battle.

I feel that this same understanding of taking evil and turning it for good is present in every cancer diagnosis as well.  I know that my diagnosis gave me an opportunity to grow in my faith and trust in the Lord way more than I ever would have otherwise.  And I am grateful.  Still, every day there are those whose journey has ended and our friend, Ray, that we have prayed for passed away this morning.  I ask special prayers for his wife, Bernice, and his daughter, Bea.  They have been in the midst of the battle with him all the way and it's been a long and tough journey for them as well.

Precious Lord, Jehovah Rapha,
We may not always understand Your ways but we know that, in the end, there is only good and a reward for those that love You.  We ask that You wrap Bernice and Bea in Your loving arms as they mourn the departure of their husband and father. 
Father, we are thanking You in advance for the success of the rescheduled Playday.  We know that it is a chance to bring greater awareness to the fight against childhood cancer and, more than anything, a chance to minister to some who might never hear Your word if they had not made the choice to attend. 
Thank You for all You do for us every day.  We are so grateful to be counted as one of Your children and so grateful for the opportunity to serve You.
These things we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the one true Messiah.
Amen