I used the above phrase in talking about all the things that have recently happened and are continuing to happen in our family right now--death of an uncle and my dad, hospitalization of Philip and Bill, and Uncle Jack. Why so much for this family? Then I had to say "Why not?" as I look at the devastation in Houston and Florida from hurricanes and what is going on throughout the world. We are not immune from hard times, but we are in control of how we handle them--in fact, it shows our true nature. My friend and leader of the Bible study I am doing right now, has a prodigal son who has wrecked his health and life through alcoholism. Today she found out he had gone missing and was in his girlfriend's car. Later she let us know he had been found--locked up in jail for DUI and fighting the police who arrested him. The car was found at a gas station where he had stopped to buy gas and locked himself out of the car so he couldn't drive away in it. She praised God for answered prayer--that he was safe in jail where he would come to no harm and couldn't continue drinking--and that he had locked himself out of the car so he couldn't harm himself or others. That is strong faith in God and for how he answers our prayers in his own way. I have vowed, with God's help, to take these sad and hard times I am currently going through, and see them through with joy--joy that God gives us peace and guidance through all things if I will let him. And when I let him, I may have tears--of both sadness and joy--coming out of my eyes at the same time--and that is okay too.
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