Yesterday my family and I returned from a week long vacation in Colorado.  We had a wonderful time exploring the mountains, relaxing and spending lots of time together.  It’s been so refreshing and lots of fun.  It was a much needed break.

While we were enjoying our vacation, we received some devastating news.  One of our family members vanished while on vacation in the Carribean.  Her name is Amanda Waller.  Her husband and my husband are cousins.  She was snorkling with a group of people, and no one ever saw her come ashore.  After 3 days of searching by air and water, the active search was called off.

The authorities believes she drowned, but there is no evidence.

There are so many questions.

And one of the most obvious questions that come the mind as a believer in a God who is in full control of the Universe are:

“What happened?”

“Why did he let this happen?”

But even more than the questions is this deep sense of sadness.  I’m just so sorry that she’s had to go through this.  I’m so sorry that her husband has to endure this grief.  My heart hurts for him, and their friends and her family as well.

15 years ago I experienced my own personal loss when I lost a child through miscarriage.  I remember the deep anguish that I felt.  It was so overwhelming that I couldn’t find the words to even pray.  It was in my deepest pain, that I held onto anchors of truth.  These anchors held me steady when I couldn’t catch my breath, or think straight.

GOD IS GOOD.

GOD WORKS ALL THINGS OUT FOR OUR GOOD.

HE LOVES ME AND HIS LOVE CANNOT FAIL.

When it felt like the waves of questions were crashing in over my head…Why is this happening?  What if I had…? I should have..? What did I do wrong? …I had to go back to the answers that were clear and unchanging.

God doesn’t change.

Our circumstances may change. My feelings may change.  Heck… everything around me can change. But… His love for me lasts for ever.  His ability to bring about every good and perfect plan for me doesn’t change.  He is still good.

In fact, Allan posted on his facebook page just days after her disappearance, a faith-filled post that ended with, “God is still God.”  That blew me over!

We don’t have answers yet to what happened to Amanda, and we don’t know why God allowed it.  We may never have these answers, but we have the answers to the questions that are most important.  God knows where she is.  He loves her.  He’s with her. And He’s bringing about His BEST plan for her.

So I write this post to encourage you to enjoy todays happiness and to uplift those who may be smack dab in the middle of a devastating circumstance.  No matter where you are, your circumstances can change in a moment.  I think about Amanda and Allan having an amazing vacation with their friends, and within minutes, EVERYTHING CHANGED.

Does that mean we should cautiously tip toe through life or stay locked up in the “safety” of our homes to avoid every possible risk.  Absolutely Not!  Why have health and breath to breathe, if we’re going to simply exist and “get through” life with no bumps or bruises?

Life was meant to be lived fully!  With purpose and for the glory of God!

I hope and pray that these thoughts encourage you today.

What life circumstance has knocked the wind out of you, and what anchors of truth can you hold to bring you peace in the midst of the storm?