Happy Tuesday, friends!! How did y’all do with your reading this week? I am happy to report that I didn’t miss a single day!  I’m starting to settle into a routine of reading my Bible each morning while I drink my coffee.

This week continued to be a fun look into the history of Jacob (Israel) and his son Joseph.  I love Joseph’s story because this is one of the first looks at just how well God can turn around a bad situation and use it for His glory.

“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.  For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve you for a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”  -Genesis 45:5-8

God used the sale of Joseph into slavery to bring glory to Himself and to His people, and most amazingly Joseph was able to recognize that and forgive his brothers.  While I don’t think that God brings bad things upon people, I most definitely believe that He never wastes an opportunity to use them for His good and His glory.  In this case, He did indeed save many many lives through Joseph’s presence in Egypt.  God was with him each step of the way, and helped him to find favor in a bad situation.

Often when we are in the midst of some trial or tribulation of our own, it can be hard to see what good may come of it, but it you look hard enough, you’ll see God’s hands at work.  We’ve lived out a similar Joseph-esque story of our own these past two years.  As I mentioned in this post, Kyle spent the greater part of 2012 battling a shoulder infection, and all of last year trying to rehab and recover.  The infection took us from baseball for nearly two full seasons, and at times truly felt like hell on earth.  However, Kyle and I have always known that God was going to use this awful situation for His glory.

Not only did the infection strengthen my nursing skills and our marriage, but He also turned this time away from the game into a huge blessing.  We were allowed to stay in Austin, and build a life and a community.  You may not realize just how hard it is to settle into a new place and get involved when you’re only there for a few months of the year, most of which are overrun with holidays and mayhem.  With this year, we were able to join our church and become extremely involved.  I was able to bring music back into my life by joining the choir and praise band, Kyle has become and usher and greeter, and we’ve both become involved in various other groups and committees.  All of these opportunities have changed our lives, and although we will soon be leaving them to resume our lives on the road, I know that they will be waiting for us when we return.  Apart from all of that, which is an immense blessing on its own, Kyle was also able to complete most of his remaining classes for his degree.  Notre Dame worked with us so that he could take advantage of UT summer school and get one step closer to finally earning his diploma.

And I know that God isn’t done.  Honestly, I feel like the best is yet to come with His plan for redeeming this mess.  When Kyle steps back out on that mound, he will be a giant lighted billboard for God’s love and healing, and we will be shouting His praises from the rooftops for all to hear.

Best & Blessings,
Rachel

P.S. Share your favorite verses from this week’s readings in the comments below or on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #weeklygrace.