Grace, Pain, Words of Endurance

EXCERPT FROM MENDED: OUT OF THE RAG PILE, BACK ON THE HANGER
BY DEBBIE WOODS (PUBLISHED BY HIGHERLIFE PUBLISHING)



His family all tried to comfort him,
but he refused to be comforted.
“I will go to my grave mourning for my son,”
he would say, and then he would weep.
Meanwhile, the Medianite traders arrived in Egypt,
Where they sold Joseph to Potiphar,
an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
GENESIS 37:35-36 (NLT)



When Jacob saw Joseph’s bloody coat of many colors he cried that without a doubt, his precious son had been ripped to pieces. He tore his own clothes, put on sackcloth, mourned, and refused to be comforted. But, as always, all the known facts are not all the facts. Meanwhile, God was working in Egypt.



Joseph had actually been sold to Potiphar. The Lord was with him, showed him mercy, and gave him favor. It was God’s perfect plan to humble and mature Joseph and later save Israel, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. Years later, when Jacob and Joseph were reunited, Jacob glorified God, saying, “I had not thought to see your face; but in fact God has also shown me your sons!” GENESIS 48:11



My family home was not a place of nurturing. There was barely supervision. I fumbled along, following others, finding my way. I ached for attention and guidance. Meanwhile, God was working in Egypt. Other-mothers were being prepared and sent to foster me. “Adopted” soul sisters came along to safeguard me. And Young Life leaders were being equipped to direct me to Jesus. The Lord was with me, like Joseph, showing great mercy and giving me favor. Precious unseen mending.



Exodus 14:22 says, “So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” God shielded the Israelites from danger that surrounded them. He did the same for me. The unspeakable pain of a teenage pregnancy and the adoption of my unseen, unnamed baby left me confused, hopeless, and suicidal. Meanwhile, God was working unseen.



By His grace and divine intervention, He protected me from enemies behind and the terrifying waters ahead. He shielded me as I walked through the middle of the “sea” on dry ground and allowed me to meet my husband and graduate with high honors from the university I attended. Both were unimaginable victories – miracles, really. Then later, to be blessed with three sons? That was just God showing off! And tenderly mending.



As life unfolds – whether through illness, aging parents, the challenges of a prodigal son, or tragedy – I am certain that all the known facts are not all the facts. I am confident that God is working unseen …



Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
PSALM 27:13 (NLT)



CONFIDENTLY,
ON THE JOURNEY WITH YOU,
JAN DRAVECKY

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