So many thoughts after Hurricane Milton. My family is safe. Our home is intact with minimal damage. And I am so very thankful. 

But…

I won’t say that God is good because our house is still standing. Because God would still be good even if it wasn’t. 

I won’t say that God is good because my family is safe. Because somewhere there is a family that isn’t. 

God has not chosen to be good to us and not good to others.

There are many prayers that went seemingly unanswered. Questions that are left heavy on many hearts. 

But if I’ve learned anything about God, it’s that circumstances don’t determine His goodness. And His goodness doesn’t determine our circumstances. And when we try to attach circumstances to who God is, we can miss Him completely. 

There is a lot that doesn’t seem to make sense. We all experience tragedy at times that make us feel like we’ve been forgotten. And when it feels hard to have faith, it’s ok to have questions. I think God wants us to ask the hard questions… because I think the hard questions are the ones that reveal the deeper truths.

I know God works miracles, I’ve experienced it in my own life. That’s a story for another day. But I’ve also seen prayers for miracles go seemingly unanswered. And I’ve wondered why. Many, many times, I have wondered why some prayers for miracles get a yes, and others don’t. 

I will never have an answer for that. It’s not my place to have the answer for that. But I don’t need an answer for that. I have faith that beauty can come from ashes. I have peace that surpasses understanding. I have hope for something greater than any of this. I have the promises of Jesus, the ACTUAL promises of Jesus, not the doctrine of false hope that says if you follow Him there will be no suffering. Or if you pray a certain way, God will do what you say. That is a slippery slope to go down, and a dangerous one to lead others into as well. 

Like I said, so many thoughts. My prayers are with everyone suffering right now. Prayers for strength and help to get through this. But mostly, I pray for the hope and peace that can only be found in Jesus. ❤️

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬