New and Improved
By Jen Wollner
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Diaper changing time has always been a challenge at our house. None of my children liked the process, even though the end result of a clean diaper was much better than staying in the dirty one. They would kick, scream and squirm—anything to avoid it! My best guess is that they didn’t mind the mess of their dirty diaper and would just rather keep playing. Taking time out for the change just didn’t fit into their plans. I think the process was also unpleasant for them because of the cold they had to endure from removing their clothes and wiping them with a cold wipe. I really can’t blame then for fighting me—I would hate it, too, if someone did that to me!By Jen Wollner
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Actually, Someone has changed many of my circumstances for what was meant to be for my good, but which caused me a lot of pain and discomfort. God has allowed things to come into my life that were really unpleasant—and I’ve kicked and screamed and fought Him. I guess I just get so used to the way things are that I can’t even see how much better my life could be. And, I definitely don’t want to go through the difficult process that is meant to get me from where I am to where I should to be. Change just isn’t in my plans most of the time.
Change is difficult for all of us, isn’t it? Unless we’ve initiated it, we aren’t interested! But, God sees the plans He has for us and knows what kinds of changes we need to make and at what time those need to be done. He loves us too much to let us sit in circumstances that aren’t best for us. He sees our potential and knows that, much of the time, growth comes out of discomfort. So, what we see as “bad” really isn’t, in the eyes of our all-knowing God.
As my children got older, they didn’t seem to mind the diaper change as much. They even got to the point of asking for it. They matured enough to understand that they didn’t need to sit in the dirty one and they were willing to go through the discomfort in order to get to the clean one. Let’s respond to change and discomfort in our own lives in the same way…with acceptance and trust that the One who desires to change us will work all our pain for good.
Out with the old, in with the new and improved!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What uncomfortable circumstances in your life has God brought to prompt change and growth in you? Thank Him for loving you that much.
FURTHER READING:
Jonah 1-4
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.
