Thursday, July 27, 2006

Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Being a 'baby boomer' I naturally expect to do well at all times. Today however I was reading a book called Job, written many eons ago. A very informative book about a blessed man who came under a major test.One of three old friends of Job's was commenting on how the wicked are always punished, so Job must have done some very wicked things for all these horrible things to have happened to him, all at once.Job replied out of his misery that he was innocent, and all this wretchedness was from God, anyways. But that he also believed his redeemer lives! Job, chapters 18 and 19.I also believe that, for our Jesus, God's son, is proclaimed as our redeemer , now and for all time.
 Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. That, my friend is life on this earth.The outcome is in the hands of the Lord. Our attitude must be that the will of the Lord be done, good or bad. I have experienced both along with our clan of over a hundred folk.Like the untimely death, of our father who always said 'it is better to wear out than to rust out' and 'I want to die in the bush with my boots on'. He did both wear out and die in the bush with his boots on, while getting his winters wood to keep warm.

Three years later, one of our dear brother-in-laws was struck by a flying branch off of a tree that he felled. In his casket he made us smile because he had said that 'he would never be caught dead with a totally bald head' which he had as a result of an operation that was performed on his head after the blow he suffered. His reference to the bald head was because our brother was completely bald at a young age, in his twenties and refused to wear a wig.

Three years after that a young husband of our neice was suddenly killed in a car accident leaving her with a young child and a baby on the way. Bad things do happen to good people.

A sister of 5 years of age was also taken from us, as a result of a drunken driver coming off the road on her side while she was walking to be with her sister 1947.I too was struck by a truck with an elderly gentleman driving, while walking home from Sunday school.1958. Thankfully, my injury was minimal.
Other bad things have happened in our large family, but they are far outweighed by good things like 3 sets of twins, many healthy newborns, all 11 marriages lasting, many graduations, many home owners and a mom that is 90 years young. They are among our blessings.
Now I am truly blessed to be able to say that of late the Lord is showing me great favour in fields I never would have dreamed possible. This article is a dream come true where I can express and vent my feelings of love, joy and peace that are overflowing from my heart.We can truly say that you can trust God and expect Him to get you through all things that happen in your life too. Never despair when you can utter a prayer. He is there for all of us !
Recently in July,06 we had a great family reunion in French River, On, Canada at Deer Bay Park. Here our two sisters and brother-in-laws run a small family campground on the French River. They graciously give us all free campsites for an entire weekend and allow us space to play games, have tournaments and enjoy a fishing derby. We also have a potluck supper together as we celebrate a birthday or wedding anniversary or a new baby in the clan.This year was Mom's 90th and the first 5th generation baby was present. Thank God for the invention of the digital camera. Many, many photos give us lasting pleasure as we compare the changes in the children and grand/great grand children.
See the hand of the Lord in bringing us all safely to and from the reunion year after year. His love enables us to get along really well. His watch over the weather supplies us with wonderful sunny days filled with laughter and merriment.
As God was with Job, so He has been with us continually enabling us to thank Him in good times and in bad. Nothing takes God our Father by surprise and He prepares us for things unseen .We Bless the Name of Jesus each day in all things. Why do bad things happen to good people? They happen to us all from time to time and it is part of the plan to show us what we are made of and just how much trust we do have in God and His Word.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because life happens to the best of us and leaves us bewildered and questioning, I felt moved to share my own experiences with others of like kind.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the Author (text)Dona Hatherley creates roads to wellness in all areas of life by pointing out ways and means as well as the expectations you can have from God's viewpoint.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------