Dear Readers, do you ever find yourself in a situation that seems hopeless, and it feels like God is so far away. Well, at those times we need to control our emotions, get quiet for a few moments and just look back on our lives and remember His continual saving grace. I get stirred up every time I reflect back on the goodness of God in my life. It encourages me to think back and remember all the times He has saved me from impossible situations- big and small. So for this reason I am sharing this column with you again, to stir you up, and hopefully encourage you to remember the goodness of God … in your own life.
The other day I was driving across a parking lot in Alvin, where I was reminded that I once had car trouble on that very spot.
It was many years ago, and with 290,000 miles that old Jeep was starting to show it’s age. I saw steam rising from under the hood and suspected the radiator. I am no mechanic yet I knew exactly what to do.
I prayed.
“Lord! Help!” (Pretty simple.)
Now, at that time my hubby was out of town on business, so my mind started going through the Rolodex of people I could call for assistance.
Suddenly, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Open the hood.” I remember thinking, “Now, what good will that do?” So, I decided to ignore this word, and continued to sit.
But the Lord spoke again, “Open the hood.” This time, I obeyed. I peered into the engine and could hear a slight ‘hissing” sound. With a deep sigh, I returned to my seat and picked up my phone to call for help.
Just then, a car pulled up with an elderly couple inside. The woman hung her head out the window and asked, “Do you need help Honey?”
“Yes, M’am I do.”
She smiled and said that her husband could take a look for me. I remember the kind faced man did a quick inspection, and confirmed a small crack in my radiator.
He asked if I had a mechanic in town and I replied, “Yes.” The man pulled out an old ragged handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his brow, “Well, I have some water in my car, and I believe it will be enough to get you there.”
Quite relieved for all of their help, I thanked them for stopping.
As they were about to drive off, the women hung her head out of her window one more time and said, “We didn’t mind a bit, and we wouldn’t even have stopped if we hadn’t seen your hood open.”
Wow!!
You know, I had forgotten all about that time the Lord helped me. And to be honest, there are innumerable times the Lord has stepped in on my behalf, many I was aware of, but I won’t know this side of heaven just how many dangers, tolls and troubles He has delivered me from without even my awareness of them.
But the other day, as I drove across that parking lot I remembered that time, and as I reflected on it, I heard the chorus of a popular Christian song rise up in my spirit.
“…. I see the evidence of Your goodness, all over my life, all over my life …”
At that moment I thought, “Lord, for the past 19 years that I have worked in this city, I have seen the evidence of Your goodness all over my life in this town. The time people have prayed for me, or given me opportunity to help them. I the miracles I’ve seen both great and small. The changed lives with testimonies of Your goodness.” I had to pull over as I began to weep.
Every breath is a gift from God, He is not the taker of life, but He is the Giver of it. A giving and forgiving Heavenly Father.
There is no such thing as luck.
There is only God. And I see the evidence of His goodness!
“For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting. And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100:5
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17
Evidence
All throughout my history
Your faithfulness has walked beside me
The winter storms made way for spring
In every season, from where I’m standing
I see the evidence of Your goodness
All over my life, all over my life
I see Your promises in fulfillment
All over my life, all over my life
Help me remember when I’m weak
Fear may come, but fear will leave
You lead my heart to victory
You are my strength and You always will be
I see the evidence of Your goodness
All over my life, all over my life
I see Your promises in fulfillment
All over my life, all over my life
See the cross, the empty grave
The evidence is endless
All my sin rolled away
Because of You, oh, Jesus
See the cross, the empty grave
The evidence is endless
All my sin rolled away
Because of You, oh, Jesus
Oh
I see the evidence of Your goodness
All over my life, all over my life
I see Your promises in fulfillment
All over my life, all over my life, yeah
I see the evidence of Your goodness (when I wake up in the morning)
All over my life (I see Your mercies are new)
All over my life (yeah, You’re all around us)
I see Your promises in fulfillment
All over my life, all over my life (yeah, You’re all around us)
So why should I fear?
The evidence is here
Why should I fear?
Oh, the evidence is here
(Songwriters: Ed Cash / Ethan Hulse / Josh Baldwin. Evidence lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing)
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
