On September 11, 2001, we were standing in the adoption agency in Greenville when the planes hit the World Trade Towers. We watched the television with their staff in horror as the second plane hit. 2,977 people died in the attacks that day, and 6,805 have since died in the War on Terrorism. What a horrific tragedy that forever changed our country. Let us never forget to honor those whose lives were taken.

With that incident on that morning in 2001, we became uncertain about what would happen with our upcoming travel plans to Ukraine to adopt our son. It came as no surprise to God. He was never uncertain. He carried us safely to Ukraine on October 13, 2001 and we came back home on November 1, 2001, with our beautiful 15-month-old son, Bradley.

There were so many “God” things about that journey that they could fill a book. He used the aftermath of that attack to build our testimonies in that experience. It was a scary experience going through the airports. We were ‘full-body’ searched in each airport. There were soldiers everywhere in the airports. I did not sleep at all on the overnight flight because I was uneasy. There were many passengers who were young men of Arab descent, and my 7-year old son was with us.

We were in Ukraine during the weeks after President Bush launched bombs and the first attacks in Afghanistan. The refugees were flooding into the neighboring countries, including Ukraine. There was anti-American sentiment. Our facilitators told us not to speak when going through the crowds. If we did not speak, they would not know we were Americans, because we looked Ukrainian.

The whole trip was a wonderful, but frightening, life-changing experience for all of us. God brought us safely through, and I have not doubt that it was in His plans for us to adopt our Bradley and to bring him home during that difficult time. It was part of God showing His glory. Though we were uncertain at times. He never was.

With Hurricane Irma this past week, there has been a lot of uncertainty. It was first projected to hit the west coast of Florida, then the east coast of Florida, then to go up the center of Florida. After it hit land, they said it was headed, first, up the eastern seaboard, then toward upstate SC, then toward Atlanta and further westward. There was a lot of uncertainty, but God was always certain, and there was not a second that He was not in charge. He is still in charge as the clean up and rebuilding begins.

God showed His glory in the magnitude of this storm. He showed His mercy by keeping it from being as bad for some as it could have been. Please pray for those who were affected. Many had catastrophic loss. Many are still not safe. Some are homeless. Some have lost loved ones. Many who were not expecting devastation from this storm received it; while many who were expecting it, avoided it.

Life is unpredictable. God designed it that way. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21) It dawned on me several years ago that it is not God’s plan to keep us comfortable. Sometimes He does His best work in our lives after He has pushed us out of our comfort zones. It is not His plans to elevate His children to a higher level of living. Christians are to be like Christ and He lived a meager life of ministry with no home to call His own. Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58)

God’s ultimate goal on earth is to bring people to the knowledge and saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Remember the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15? The Shepherd leaves 99 sheep to go rescue the 1 who is lost. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.  (Luke 15:7)

Sometimes He uses the trials of His children as a canvas for painting His beautiful story of grace and love for the whole world to see. Sometimes we are the only Jesus that people ever see. He brings us through impossible situations so that the lost will see and believe that all things are possible for those who believe. He never wastes a single opportunity.

He brings the storms for His purposes, and then sends His people to be His hands and feet to bring recovery and love to those who are hurting from the storms.  He has a master plan. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with (us), not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Dear Lord: Please be with those in the paths of the storms, those who are beginning the recovery, those who are still trying to get home, those who have lost their homes and those who have lost loved ones. May Your good and perfect plan always be fulfilled no matter the circumstances. May people come to know You. May we all grow in our faith as we watch Your majesty and mercy at work. Guide us to opportunities to be Your hands and feet to help others. Help us all to rest in the knowledge that even when we are uncertain, You never are. You know. You hold the past. You hold the present. You hold the future. And most importantly You hold us. For that, we are truly thankful. Amen

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:39-40

For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” 1 John 3:20

Have you struggled with worry, times you have been uncertain about the things happening in your life? Have the storms and trials scared you? Has God worked in ways that were surprising? Please share your experiences, thoughts and comments.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. While we may often be uncertain about the future, may we always be certain of who holds the future as God works His good and perfect will through the trials of our lives. May we not miss opportunities for our lives to be a blank canvas for Him to paint His love, grace and mercy for others to see.

Related blogpost you might like to read: https://sharonhawkins.net/2017/07/18/sometimes-god-calms-sea-sometimes-calms-us/