God works, always

One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28, God works for all those who love Him. I used to have it on a pen. I am a scripture periphenalia freak. It's dorky but it is what it is and I am what I am.

Next Sunday is my favorite and least favorite holidays of the year... bittersweet.

As a kid, growing up in a world that wasn't used to the single parenthood thing, I got asked a million times "what happened to your mom?" to the point where I was so tired of saying it I just couldn't stand it. People, especially kids with two parents, are just so curious about the whole thing. Mother's Day came and went and I would make cards or presents for my dad (because he was both my mom and my dad) or my gram, but usually for my dad (ever notice that Father's Day is past school time?). I am sure that many Mother's Day evenings my dad probably cried (though I never saw it) because his heart broke because he knew mine did.

As a mom, I love Mother's Day and this will be the first one I will do whatever it is I want because my Gram is not here (she always wanted to go places I didn't like- but we went). I'll probably cook lunch or go to Panera and I'll be at Al!ve doing words.

There are many times when I just don't know what to do as a mom because I didn't have anything to gage it after, good or bad. And in those times I just have to turn inward and upward to hear what the Holy Spirit and God guide me to do. When I listen, it's usually wonderful, when I don't, well... yikes...

One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 8:28 because no matter what I do, no matter how many times I screw it up, fall down, God still works, because He knows I am not perfect, but I do love Him, oh, so much, He knows my heart, and for me, because of that, He still works.

Read both versions, Message and NIV. Amazing His word, isn't it?

Romans 8:28 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

Romans 8:26-28 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (msg)