Have you ever wondered how God could work all things together for good in your life? Maybe you’re in a situation that feels impossible, a marriage that is unraveling, a job environment that is unhealthy and all you can see is HARD.
In my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today, I share how I wrestled with this in the midst of very difficult circumstances during and after our daughter’s adoption, and the ways God showed me HOW He was working things for “good” in unexpected ways.
If you hopped over from my devotion, I’m so glad you stopped by! As promised, here are a few photos that tell part of the story of us bringing our beautiful girl home. {And there’s special giveaway at the end of this post.}
All I could see were the hard parts. Everything we would have to give up: sleep, money, comfort, familiarity, others’ approval. All the hard things we would have to navigate: huge expenses and significant changes.
What if our sons resented us for re-arranging their lives forever? What if our parents and extended family didn’t approve? What if we exhausted our time, emotions and money only to end up with broken hearts and an empty bank account? How could God work all that together for good?
I could not see how. I could only see “hard.” Yet we knew God was calling our family to adopt a severely malnourished baby girl from Ethiopia. And in October 2009 we brought Aster home.
Was it hard? Yes. Even more than I imagined.
But as I trace God’s hand over the past five years since we brought Aster home, I see Him working countless things {together} for good. Most of all, I see a handwritten love letter sent to our little girl from her Heavenly Father, written on every page of our adoption story.
I see God working the hard things together for good. Despite our inadequacy, sadness and fear of the unknown when Aster was diagnosed with a speech disorder, global developmental delays, low muscle tone and sensory processing disorder, I now see God working it all for good.
I see God working the overwhelming things together for good. A year of sleepless nights brought out servant-hearted compassion in our teenage sons when they saw their dad struggling with depression caused by sleep-deprivation. I’ll never forget the night they decided to take turns sleeping on a mattress in their sister’s room to relieve her anxiety and give us back our desperately needed sleep.
I see God working even the embarrassing things together for good. Like the day I had a meltdown in my car and a stranger tapped on my window to see if I was okay. And that same afternoon, I ran out of gas on my way to get my youngest son at basketball which mean my oldest son, who had a new cast on his broken foot, had to push our car off the road. I see awesome stories for them to tell their children about me one day.
When my reality doesn’t look or feel like “good” to me, I ask God to help me see how. How he is keeping his promise that “in all things [He] works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Roman 8:28).
What I’ve discovered is this: God is always working things together for good, but not just for our good. Sometimes we are part of His working things together for someone else’s good.
You see, I believe Jesus heard a mother in Africa praying for her baby. A mother who was living in the middle of “hard” like I’d never imagined. A mother who couldn’t see how she could give her little girl the nurture and nutrition she needed.
Hagere: Aster’s birth-mother feeding her during our visit.
And when God heard that mama’s prayers, He tapped on the heart of a family in North Carolina who loved Him and were called according to His purpose. I also believe God saw an orphanage in Ethiopia searching for a forever family to provide unconditional love and medical care for a 6-month old, 8 pound baby with pneumonia.
So Jesus went back to that family in North Carolina who had been asking God to reveal Himself to them and through them, knowing this little girl would be an answer to that prayer.
And that’s when God started working the hard, impossible, and overwhelming things {together} for good.
Is there a relationship or situation in your life where all you see is hard? Have you asked God how He can work some part of it together for good?
I don’t know about you, but some days I need a tangible reminder that He can. A visual that prompts me to pray and helps me remember how He does, like the beautiful bead necklace I’m wearing below made from repurposed bullets found in the rubble of Ethiopian soil.
Each time I look at it, I remember how God answered a desperate mother’s prayers for her baby and filled my family’s longing to experience more of Him. Only He could know how much we needed the gift of a little girl to light up our world, and to remind us that He indeed can work even the hardest things {together} for good.
ENTER TO WIN To celebrate how Jesus takes the hard and heart-breaking realities of life and works them together for good, Proverbs 31 Ministries is partnering with Fashion & Compassion to create a beautiful jewelry line from repurposed bullets found in the rubble of Ethiopian soil. “SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS” under this post and you’ll be entered to win.
The From Bullets to Blessings Collection is handcrafted from Ethiopian bullets, dug out of rubble, and assembled by vulnerable and rescued women throughout Mexico and Charlotte, NC. CLICK HERE to find out more about the collection and the women who create these pieces. It’s a beautiful picture of God working the hard things together for good in their lives through Fashion & Compassion.
Sitting here with tears in my eyes, wondering if I would have had the courage to do what your family did. WOW! A life filled of purpose, living on purpose, for HIS purpose! You blessed me so much and the pictures just made your story pierce my heart. Praying for continued strength for you, your family and your beautiful daughter!
wow…your story just blew me out of the water..& talk about tears..i am grabbing for napkins, kleenex..anything
i can find to dab my eyes..so i can keep readingthis is pretty cool stuff..& to see how your boys just stepped up
to the plate & took care of business says ALOT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY’S VALUES…i would love to receive
those earrings to give as a gift…i have 2 different people in mind if i am blessed to receive them..there is a
lady @ church whise family as well did the same thing you did..but they adopted locally….they were foster
parents & received this little girl as a foster child due to mommy & daddy wanting drugs more that parenthood
& by the grace of God got to adopt her ..they are total servants @ heart…& my daughter…she as well has a
100% heart for God…that is how she lives her life..pretty awesome…she has obeyed every command he has
put in her path..w/o question…..momma here..unfortunately..likes to know the why first…not the way to follow
i know…but weird like that…well..i will quit rambling…
thank you again for your amazing story…Renee..oh…was Aster her birth name or did you guys get to give that
one to her…
have a great & blessed day…readers & Renee………….kathy wygant
The timing on this could not be more perfect. We are knee deep in the waiting process to adopt from Uganda. A call God has clearly placed on our hearts. The negativity and corruption surrounding International adoption has my heart in a vice and has had me at the point of wanting to give up. My 6 year old, Ethiopian son tearfully told me at bed time last night that he doesn’t like being the only brown one in the family. 🙁 So much hard this week, but GOD is working. I have to have faith in that.
What a much needed reminder :’)
Thank you for sharing some thing so personal
It inspires us to allow our messes to become our message as well
I truly enjoyed reading your devotion and seeing the pictures that you shared of your beautiful daughter. I know her mother is forever grateful and thankful that you have provided her with so much love and care. I pray that Aster will overcome all the challenges and that God continues to bless your family.
Thank you for sharing this! I’m at a time where everything feels hard, and I needed this.
There is just something about taking things produced in tragedy and making something useful and beautiful…a lovely reminder that God brings beauty from ashes. I often feel broken…and He reminds me that I am also beautiful…His love for me is overwhelming.
And I am so happy that God sent you a princess from Ethiopia
What a wonderful testimony and inspiring story of God’s love. Thank you for sharing your heart!
an absolutely beautiful story, thank you for sharing…it amazes me everyday the miracle of God, how He works for the good for everyone and brings people together…God is good all the time
Ephesians 1:5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it.
God is so GOOD! He always has a great plan for each of us! And He definitely has a sense of humor too! What a wonderful fulfillment of his plans for you and your family.
Thank you, so much, for sharing this incredible story of hope, trust, and love! It is amazing how you showed me another way of looking at MY FAVORITE scripture. I find no need to share my story, only to say that God has brought me through many hard times! But this morning I realize how a fabric is woven together with many threads and God gave this scripture our good as well as answer to prayer of someone else’s good! Use me Lord for the greater good of His kingdom!
Thank you !
Thanks for being real. For obeying God and for being honest about the wonderful times and the blessings as well as the hardness in this life story. God blesses when we listen and obey. He doesn’t always promos it will be easy or all wonderful but He promises that we will feel and know His presence.
Renee what a beautiful testimony of just how God works it together for our good! Thank you for sharing for the betterment of his kingdom! I love all the photos of your family, very beautiful! Aster is a gorgeous little girl! Be blessed!!
Thank you Renee because I needed this story this morning. This was a beautiful and inspiration moment for me. I have been struggling with answers to different situations in my life. You have a beautiful family.
Be blessed:)
Just what I needed to read this morning!
God knew how much I needed to read your beloved story ; that he will bring me through my hard /unknown realities of jobs under review and potential cancer genes! He is bigger than it all. Thanks for sharing your story and helping me gain some perspective!
Thank you for sharing your story and your heart. What a wonderful way to think about that verse of scripture. I’ve always known that God WILL work things out for good in my life…eventually, even when I cannot see it right away. But I love the addition of realizing that maybe He is working it out for good in someone else’s life! Thanks again for a beautiful story.
What a great testimony, thank you for sharing! And specially for getting me out of the seldish “me” light that we usually have on…. Some o te good He promises is for others who are worst and waiting for that miracle touch of God.
I love what it’s being done with the jewlery, such a blessing and beautiful too!
Thank you so much for sharing your story, and for the challenge! My heart and mind are whirling and processing now, wondering what God has next. Thank you for this perspective and reminder. God bless!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story and your perspective on Romans 8:28 which is my favourate verse in the bible. i have never thought of this verse from this perspective that God may use me to make things work together for someone else. That revelation made me think a lot…thanks so very much for opening my eyes I will start asking God not to just work all things together for my own good but also that He may use me to answer someone else’s prayers..
Loved this blog post! I have been through cancer diagnosis & at that time I realized God would get me through the hard time. Your post is a reminder to me to continue to trust him to get through the hard times of everyday life. Somewhere along the way I forgot that fact.
I’m walking in the “Hard Part” in a relationship with my teenage daughter. THANK YOU THANK YOU for your timely encouragement! ❤️
What a beautiful Love story you have written !! Praying blessings forever on you and all other families!!
Diane. Not by power not by might but by the Spirit. May the Spirit of God in you overcome every obstacle for you. Rest in God and Stand in His Word. He has a convenant with you for your family including your daughter. He says He is in you and you will not be moved no matter what storms may come you shall not fall (psalm 46). I pray that Jehovah shalom, the Prince of Peace may reign in your household and in your hearts. Remind God of His convenant of peace, prosperity and well being (shalom) with you for your household. Remind Him of His promise for salvation for your household and then stand trusting in Him to fulfill His Word.
Beautiful story. We have a family in our church with a 3 year old girl they adopted from Ethiopia. Not easy but they are well and blessed. The same family now awaits for their son with special needs to be able to come home. They have 3 biological children too who have embraced their new sister wholeheartedly and are excited to bring their brother home too. God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good.
I would love to pass the earrings on to this loving mother…
Our God is awesome !! Thank you for sharing your story, the good and the bad. God bless you as you do His work.
Oh how this devotional brought tears to me eyes and a longing in my heart. We have long been praying about adoption and starting a foundation of some kind for children in need and your story was just yet another nudge in that direction! Thank you, Renee for being the example, for obeying God’s calling and providing that beautiful little girl with a loving, Christ-filled environment. God Bless you and your family!
We are also an adoptive family. Although the details of country of origin, age at adoption, and specific special needs are different, our family can relate to yours. Thank you for telling more than just the “pretty” parts of your journey. Adoption IS beautiful and God DOES call His people to it – but that doesn’t mean life will suddenly be perfect for the child or the new family. Thank you for being real. I pray more adoptive families will find help and understanding instead of judgement and disapproval as a result of people like you sharing like you have here!
What a beautiful story! It inspires me to keep my heart open to God’s calling.
Thank God for leading you to Africa where too many children are suffering and needing love with devoted family as yours. May God Bless you and your Family as you do HIS work.
Beautiful! Beautiful story, beautiful family and beautiful daughter! Thank you for sharing your story. i should be able to conquer my little problems when I hear about everything your family went through and what poor Aster’s mother had to endure. God Bless all of you!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with all of us. And for the teminder that is working it all out for good.
A beautiful story with a beautiful ending!
Your beautiful words meant so much to me! I have two sons adopted from Russia. They are such a blessing to us. One of my sons has had some serious health issues. You put into words exactly how I have felt in the past. The good news is that God is always there, walking with us through each difficult moment!
So thankful for you and others who are part of Gods big plans by giving others a chance at life. Aster is so blessed to have you for a family. The love of Jesus is very evident!
What a beautiful story. Thanks for all of your stories that inspire.
I love the reminder that sometimes the good he is working is not for ourselves but for others. You have a beautiful family. I really love the way these bullets meant for harm are being repurposed to help these women. God is indeed good!!
Thank you for your devotional, ministry. I love reading stories like this. Your daughter and family are beautiful.
Have a blessed day.
Kim
God’s great love and story of redemption! Thank you for the reminder of how God’s plan for me is to simply trust and obey and He will take me through all the “hard” places!
What an inspirational story! As many of us I also have many “hard” parts of life. Through prayer, church, and many other biblical readings I am learning that it is not “my hard” that is the lesson but God’s way of changing my life to rely and trust in him is the true lesson. Your story brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful little girl and family you have. Thank you for sharing and prayers for many blessings ahead!
Beautiful story and beautiful jewelry!
What a beautiful story of love and obedience. When we listen God so moves and He is glorified. He does work everything out. We just have to trust. I love that He is always there and He brings us through it. I am always so glad that He knows the end of the story and that gives me peace. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story!!
This is a great story for all of us. I especially needed it today. My “hard” is nothing compared to what you have been through and accomplished. To give up a great deal to save one of God’s children is one of the best ways to show God’s glory on His earth.
I pray that my “hard” will eventually glorify God. Thank you for takinga baby from Ethiopia. I have met many people from there as well as Eretria. They are a blessing.
God bless all of you. You have wonderful children who understand what it means to work as a family for God’s glory.
Thank you for sharing pictures. They really bring your story to life and touched my heart. It truly is amazing how God works for the good of those who love him! 🙂
God is so faithful and blessed you greatly by being faith-filled.
It’s so easy to focus on our hard while missing the how in God’s use of us, his vessels.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing pictures. They really bring your story to life and touched my heart. It truly is amazing how God works for the good of those who love him!
Oh how BEAUTIFUL! Brought tears to my eyes…thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for your story of trusting God through the difficult times. I too am in a situation of trusting. Though I can’t see the why of it all I can trust my loving Savior and leave the why to Him.
Exactly the storyline I was pondering when I read an email before reading your blog. Thank you for the confirmation.
Beautiful story. And a place we all find ourselves at some point in our lives. Thank-you for your transparency.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Renee! How Aster’s mom must have ached at the condition of her little one in a hard situation that we can’t even fathom. And how beautifully God used you and your family, even through the hard, to bless Aster, her birth mother and all of you. The pictures brought tears to my ears. Thank you for the reminder that God has a purpose in all things: the easy, and sometimes especially the hard. ♡