I just got into the office after morning Bible study at church. Acts 9-12 struck me with a couple of profound truths.

No matter where we have been or what we have done, God has a plan for us. He wants to redeem us, call us and use us for His Kingdom purpose. Read Acts 9:1-31.

Don't be surprised when God interrupts your journey. While we are walking along our own path, He shines a light from heaven, speaks to us in an unmistakable voice and calls us to be different.

God will go to any length to get us off the wrong path and onto the right one. He struck Paul blind. He had to be led around by others. He also couldn't see the future to know that his sight would be restored in three days. Sometimes God uses a major event to stop us in our tracks.

God is always at work in more than one place. In Acts 10:1-48, and Acts 9:8-19, we see God at work in multiple locations. While Paul was sitting in Damascus, blinded, God was talking to Ananias about healing a blind man that would come to him. While Peter ponders his vision of the sheet of unclean animals he is to kill and eat, Cornelius, a Gentile, has a vision about Peter coming to his house to share the truth of Jesus. Sometimes when we don't understand what God is doing or allowing, He is at work elsewhere preparing other puzzle pieces. Just like Ananias and Paul, and Cornelius and Peter, once the pieces are all assembled, we can stand in awe of God's masterpiece.

Many times, God asks us to do something we think is impossible. Imagine Ananias' fear when God told him to heal the church-hating, Christian-persecuting Paul. Ananias knew that Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest and imprison the Christians. Imagine Peter's trepidation when God asked him to go into a home he had been taught all his life to avoid just to share Christ. God often asks us to do things outside of our comfort zone.

As you journey through this day, don't be surprised if God interrupts. Don't be surprised if He decides to turn your worst day into your best day. Don't be surprised when He uses the darkest days of your life to shine the brightest light into the lives of others.

Hope you enjoy this song by Babbie Mason.

About the author:

Teri is passionate about teaching, writing, and ministering to fellow sojourners. She spends her days working in ministry and her evenings and weekends being wife and mom.

20 years. The time it takes a baby to become an adult. The time its been since the Dallas Cowboys won a Super Bowl. The time required for a White Oak Tree to reach maturity.

20 years. Seems an eternity when we’re kids, but flies like crazy when we're adults.

20 years ago today, my life changed forever. I buried my husband.

So many memories ... the brisk outside air; the faces of hundreds of people who came to pay their final respects; the anguish in my children’s eyes; the finality when the casket was closed for the last time. Placing his wedding ring on the ring finger of my right hand.

While so many things about that day seem to have frozen in time, many other things have changed so much. Kids have grown up. I’ve grown older. Life has moved on.

Today is a strange day for me. An odd mix of memories. While I buried him 20 years ago, I married him 35 years ago. Today.

I also remember a family who came into the Kingdom the day I buried my husband. They were re-born that day. I feel amazingly connected to that family because I was reminded of the circle of eternal life. As Kris was experiencing the actual presence of God that day, they were sealed with the promise of their Kingdom-entrance some day.

I listened to a sermon this afternoon on my way home from work. One of my favorite radio pastors reminded me that God is Sovereign. That means He is bigger than anything I face. 20 years ago. Or right now.

Here’s a quote: “Remember that nothing comes into your life that isn’t either allowed by God or decreed by God.” Chip Ingram

I don’t know what you’re walking through today. But be encouraged. Your journey is in the Hands of a loving, gracious, Almighty God Who desires to do a work in you and through you.

20 years. For me? I’ve learned that these light and momentary struggles are only perfecting the faith that Jesus authored in me. He is transforming my mourning to dancing. He is exchanging beauty for ashes. He is allowing me to experience God's blessed hope in the midst of despair.

“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

Read it slowly. Meditate on its truth. Bask in its promise.

About the author:

Teri is passionate about teaching, writing, and ministering to fellow sojourners. She spends her days working in ministry and her evenings and weekends being wife and mom.