the blessing

This is a little deeper than normal, but here goes.....
4 years ago when I miscarried I never thought there would be anything good that could come out of it. But, I was wrong.
Since then, God has used me to help others in the same situation. I have been able to encourage them, listen to them, and even help wipe away a tear. Not the same fulfillment that I would have gotten from raising a child and I didn't even always smile while God was using me help others.
I was a bit confused and angry. Is this His best for me? Why would God choose for my life to be this way?

I asked those questions and many more - countless times over the past years. I know the answer now.
God has known what is best for me all along. In the back of my mind I knew that - but I was too mad to accept it. Now it is more clear. I am who I am..... and I am where I am because of my past experiences. The struggles in my life have made me stronger. If everything would have worked out the way I wanted it to - then I wouldn't be able to be a part of this incredible blessing that we are embarking on right now. I truly believe that God can turn every situation to point towards Him and He is able to make something beautiful and good out of heartache and sadness. His ways are always better than anything I can imagine. I am so thankful that He didn't give up on me and He is choosing me today, to take part in this incredible blessing.

picinic

Today we had a picnic lunch. We went to the botanical gardens in Janesville and enjoyed the beauty of the flowers and plants and shrubs and trees and birds. It was a good day of fresh air and being together. Who doesn't love a picnic on a beautiful summer day that has a warm breeze and a blue sky?! God's creation is so beautiful. I was reminded of that today so many times. God could have made just a few flowers but instead there are thousands with so much variety in the colors and sizes and smells.
In a book I am reading it was talking about creation and how God started with nothing and then created light .... and then water and land .... and then plants and tress and flowers .... and then all the stars in the heavens .... and then birds and fish .... and then man. Like a painting each thing building on the next in an increasing crescendo to show His creativity and power and love. We are his masterpiece. More important to Him than anything else. I am in awe of that and how that proves how much I am loved and cherished by such a big God. We are so blessed.