And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. NLT Romans 8:28
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. NLT 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
When the hubster and I moved to Kentucky, we arrived with no friends or family- certainly no one we knew well enough to babysit our then 5yo son. When Valentine’s Day rolled around, we decided to have a family “date.” My favorite guilty pleasure is White Castle. Oh those those tiny little cheeseburgers are so delicious! Fast food, I know, I know… They’re not organic wholesomeness. No crunchy mama awards there. Big deal. I don’t care what is in them. It’s an occasional treat. Once in a while. Really, only once (or twice) a year. Don’t judge me. I’ve seen you in line at McDonald’s. Anyway… Our big romantic date night ends up at White Castle with our little kid in tow.
Picture Valentine decor everywhere. Plastic roses, paper table clothes, heart confetti… every dollar store red or pink item was there. And then some! They presented Hershy’s kisses on the tray with our meal. Cheesy to the max! Times ten. Maybe a million. You get the idea. There I sat with my two favorite fellas (who really dont care for the food, by the way) and it was heaven. Absolute heaven! Ok, it was not a romantic, big deal date of the past but who can be sad with a cheeseburger in their mouth? Yum. My little boy enjoyed being my Valentine – and having fries and a Coke of course. Husbband is happy if I’m happy and I’m totally happy with those delicious little gut grenades. So everyone is happy, happy, happy.
We didn’t have a babysitter the next year either. White Castle for the win! What started as a make-do alternative has turned into an eleven year tradition for us. Hey, we even make reservations now. Classy. Yeah. Eleven years of celebrating love: family-style with mini-cheeseburgers. What’s the point of this story? Things don’t always work out the way we think they should. And that’s okay- IF WE LET IT BE OKAY. If we keep our attitudes and mouths right, the Lord can take ANY situation and turn it around for our good. Is the situation good? Probably not but God’s alternative can be so much better that we expected. It may just turn out to be the best thing ever. While this example is certainly a light-hearted one, the truth in it is the same. The Lord has turned every disaster into blessing for me over time. The key is to just roll with it, know the Lord loves you and trusting that he can AND WILL take care of you. No complaining and grumbling though . That’s not the faith stuff He works with. Trust, patience, praise, thanksgiving – thats the good stuff. The faith stuff. He can work with that and turn it toward your favor. You might just get a cheeseburger with it.
