It could have been worse

Let me tell you about a terrible event that happened to me two or three years ago. My dad almost died. He suffered from a septic infection and calapsed in his trailer alone. He lay unconscious for 14-16 hours before being found. While in the waiting room, a man came in and sat with my grandmother and me. He seemed nice enough, but nervous. Grandma asked who he was there to see, and he said his grandmother. Shortly afterward, a nurse called the waiting room to tell us that dad wanted to see us. Not wanting to carry all my stuff for the upteenth time, I left my bright pink backpack. When we returned, my wallet was missing and the man was gone. Come to find out, there were no elderly women in the ICU that day.
I wasn't at home in Kirksville. I was three hours away, so I didn't have my birth certificate with me to replace my ID.
BUT...I have an amazing boss who gave me the week off to be with my dad in the hospital. My dad lived and is doing very well now. The man didn't steal my backpack, which held my laptop. My husband also had/has amazing bosses who allowed him to bring me my birth certificate and stay with me the rest of the week.

In other words, it could have been worse.

I was reading about Joseph yesterday, and as much as he suffered, God was still protecting him and using everything to His purpose. Yes, Joseph's brothers wanted to kill him, BUT Reuben convinced them to trap him instead. Yes, he was sold into slavery, BUT God used him to accomplish amazing tasks. Tasks that saved thousands of people from starving.

Often we forget how merciful God is being to us in the middle of strife. We miss all the blessings He provides along the way. The truth is that He's always there, always "working all things for the good of those who love him." (Romans 8:28)  So next time you find yourself in a terrible situation, try to remember that God's love never left you. Search for the blessing along the way and thank Him for them.

Let's face it... it could have been worse.