The LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. -Proverbs 16:4
The Lord has made ALL things for a purpose: His goodness and glory are revealed through ALL He has created. The Lord has made ALL things with a plan. It’s staggering to think that the wicked can and will be used for God’s glory as even this will display God’s righteousness and justice for punishing evil. It’s powerful when we realize that both good and evil are used for God’s glory. Even though….and Even if…….ALL THINGS are made for good and for God. It wasn’t enough to just say that the Lord made all things for Himself…..it is written as if it was answering our next question before we even asked it. Yes, even the wicked. Clearly, this was important to clarify.
I can’t believe we are less than 90 days away from closing out an entire decade! I can’t help but think back on the last 10 years and if I’m being honest with you, I’d rather just run towards the New Year’s Eve party and ring in the New Year and keep looking forward.
Looking back on these last 10 years is difficult for me. And I wouldn’t be surprised if looking back is difficult for you too.
Difficult because there’s been so much death and darkness.
It’s unbelievable, really. And the fact that I am still standing strong today is ONLY by the grace and goodness of God.
In 2010, I lost both my dad and younger sister just 6 months apart. In between those six months, I said goodbye to Nashville, Tennessee. It was always a dream of mine since I was little to live in Nashville and pursue my creative dreams, but after throwing a few fits [I won’t even pretend to be perfect] I surrendered and followed my husband to his hometown in Montana. After my son Ezra Brave was born in 2012, I had an early miscarriage in 2014, before losing my mom one week before Mother’s Day in 2015. My rainbow and sunshine came for me in the Fall of 2016 when my daughter Imogene Joy was born. Just as I so confidently thought that there was no more I could possibly lose, I was blindsided and devastated by the discovery of my husband’s unfaithfulness in our almost 14-year marriage. I fought hard that fall and winter of 2017 and 2018. The coffee shop that we opened together which I ran on the daily for 7 years…. was sold and closed. Being left as a single mom with a five-year-old and one-year-old- in what felt like the middle of nowhere Montana, with no family around…..was truly the greatest disappointment of my life. However, just 2 weeks ago today my kids and I moved out of the home that reminded us night after night of our heartbreaking season and into a beautiful home that we believe the Lord built for us…for such a time as this. The timing was spot on. He has and is surely turning this situation around.
So here I am…..looking back on a decade of grief upon grief with a few beautiful arrows in between, but when I put on my 20/20 glasses [you know I’ll be sporting these glittery ones on New Year’s Eve] I clearly see the grace after grace and the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Perspective is everything.
Clinging to Truth is what gets us through these hard days and helps us make sense of things that wouldn’t ever make sense on our own. I have to preach to myself daily. I’m desperate for the Lord to continue to walk me through daily consequences of a decision that I did not make for my children and I. But every day I choose to believe that YES, EVEN THE WICKED evil days of death, loss, and betrayal will not have the final say. Vengeance is not ours. The Lord fights our battles for us. AMEN and AMEN!
In Esther 7:7-8 Haman found his way to the end on the same instrument he had intended for the death of Mordecai, he was caught in his own trap against Mordecai.
The weapon against you may be formed…but it will not prosper.
Cling to Jesus in those hard, dark moments and realize that God has the power to always bring good out of heartbreaking situations.
Join Kelli on Instagram and read more of her story!
____________________________________________________
Did you know when you purchase a Love God Greatly journal you are helping us:
1. Create more ongoing Bible studies.
2. Allow us to generously give God’s Word away around the world, equipping women, small churches and ministries who would otherwise not be able to afford these valuable Bible studies.
THANK YOU for your partnership and support! TOGETHER we are helping to change the world…one Bible study, one translation, one woman at a time!
Grab your new journal today in our online store!
Looking for our online Bible study group to join? You can find our Love God Greatly Online Bible Study group here!
Can you please sign me up to receive your daily blog studies. Thank you!
Hello Sherrie. All you need to do is to subscribe to the website. Scroll down the page and you’d see the field to subscribe and you’d get all the blog posts notifications. Or you could download the Love God Greatly app from play store or Apple store to your device and you’d get everything there. God’s blessings.
Thank you for sharing your story, Kelli. Through pain and hardship, we learn that Christ is enough. Always. And Yes, the Lord will use all things for His glory.
Wow! That is amazing to see the devil has not won in your life!! Keep fighting my sister, keep fighting there are better days ahead!!
What a story! Kelli, God has truly trusted you with incredible pain for what I believe is a powerful purpose. So many of us can relate to you. We will all face death, and that sucks. And It saddens me that more and more marriages will experience the pain of adultery. I’m so sorry for all you’ve had to endure in such a short span of time. It’s truly not supposed to be this way. But I can’t wait to hear more of what God is teaching you as a daughter of the king, mother, and friend. For I’m sure between the lines of these paragraphs are mounds of hurt that led to lessons, and ultimately reveal God’s faithfulness and glory. You are a strong, courageous, beautiful woman. Thank you for sharing and encouraging us!