Where was God?

"...You planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good... easy now... nothing to fear."- Gen 50:20 The Message Bible

We live in a broken world.  A world with disease, senseless murder (even of children!!),  & broken hearts.  Where was God when the bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, or when my friend fell from a waterfall in front of his wife & daughter?  Where was God when my girlfriend became a widow at 38?  When my own body is constantly working against me as I fight MS?  Where is HE when my sister searches for true love or when my friend buried his baby boy?? I want to believe with my whole heart, but sometimes doubt creeps in and I am left with so many questions... WHY WHY WHY???

This is what I know.  God promises He is with us.   He promises to go before us and prepare a way for us.  EVEN if our path is right smack on a course of tragedy, disease, & heartache.  Still, God's plan's are always good.   His plans reveal His power and love for us.  EVERY TIME.     It usually takes time and a hindsight to see the big picture of His perfect Plan.  But His Word promises us, time and time again that He is, was and will be there.   

 ^" It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”-  Deut 31:8

"I will go before you
    and level the mountains,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
    and cut through the bars of iron..."  -Is 45:2

 “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”  Deut 31:6

Psalm 139:5 ..."you hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me"   One meaning of hem is "to surround or enclose somebody or something"  He is ALWAYS. THERE.

You Heart's health: Pura Vida!

How is the health of your heart?
Can you honestly say you feel His love deep within your heart... through lifes pains and aches?  Do you feel His NEVER changing, NEVER ceasing, AlWAYS constant presence in your life?  He loves you without reservation.  Without justification.  Without  "buts and ifs"  He's not waiting for you to become better to love you more.  His love is perfect and constant.   Jesus Calling, my favorite devotional, had great things to say about the weeds in our hearts today!  What weeds are taking up space in your heart?  (and mine)!
Pride? Worry?  Selfishness? Unbelief?

Imagine Him as the Holy Gardener ever present in your heart.  Constantly at work within us to rid us of these stubborn weeds, so that our hearts will be lush and healthy.  Full and beautiful.  Because the weeds can't last in the light of His Presence.  The light will scorch out the selfishness.  Burn the unbelief... until our lonliness just shrivels and worry fades.   God's light can turn our weeds into lush, colorful gardens of love and abundance!  How beautiful is that???

But we all know that some weeds are really tricky... No matter what we do, they still seem to creep back in.  Just as we get busy in another area of our "gardens', turn our backs,  there they are... BACK AGAIN!  The best remedy for weeds is to prevent them!!! We must start with rich soil.  Our hearts health is nourished by spending time with Him, time in His Word.  Fellowship with believers.  We become healthy when it is not about US.  This is how we keep the weeds from even starting!  So even when troubles come, we can allow His Peace to light our heart-space with healing and health.  This changes us.  It makes us available to receive God's perfect, never changing, never ceasing, always present love!!  Then, friends, it's (as they say in Costa Rica)  "Pura Vida"... (rough translation:  pure life: it's all good)