There are so many occasions in our life for God to continue His work in us. This seems even more evident in our off-beat, always-changing missionary life and so true in our recent travels and trials that have hit us hard and knocked us flat. 

When my plans are shaken and my steps forward wobble, my first response is to think that things are going all wrong. And to my earth-bound gaze, they are. Bad, trouble and messed-up convey the descriptions as I try to figure our how things will work out. My first response is asking God to "fix it". And yes, preferably in my way and in my time. Because of course, how could any good come from separation, instability, cost, waist, and confinement.

But it is at those times, when I am weak, confused and unsure, when I feel striped down to the core and brought low...it is only at those times, that God can really work deeply in me. In ways that aren't easy, but always good, productive, and beneficial. It is then that I begin to do what I should be doing all along. I desperately cry out to and cling to the One I too quickly forget in my usual, but misguided and inadequate, confidence and capability. 

It is in these quiet moments of humble trust and dependence that I am reminded that God is working all things out for good. He is the One that is Good. He is enough and able to do good in and though the craziness around me. His workings of good will probably not be what I choose; to make my life safe, happy and easy. Instead it is the good of what is deep-down-really-needed good. The good of drawing me to Himself, the good of growing my trust in Him, and the good of less of me and more of Him in my life.