Let the Good Times Roll

Just returned from a week-long family vacation to the beach.  Seems all the unpacking, washing and putting away of stuff is mostly behind us, though we are sure to keep finding sand right up until Christmas and beyond.  As I finally catch my breath a bit, I am remembering how one really tough day early that week was eventually swallowed up by the the good times we had together.  I'm not sure what we learned in that not-so-heavnely day, but I know that somehow, by God's grace, our faith was strengthened just a bit.  It was hard!  But we would all say that our trip was a lot of fun.  We all had a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day".  But we woke up the next morning to the best day of the whole trip.  How is that even possible? 

As I think back on that experience, I see again that God has a way of taking even the most difficult of times and transforming them into something valuable.  I am also reminded that as long as I have others in my life whom I love and care for, the most rewarding and necessary work is done in the trenches of relational hardships.  For some reason, this is where faith is worked out.  Relationships are where I see afresh my own frailty and need of God's grace. Thank God for His grace! 

So, enjoy the good times.  Let 'em roll!  ...Embrace the difficulties too, remembering Jesus.  And may we learn to trust God more deeply as we walk with those whom we love the most.