Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

 Susie pointed to Psalm 23:6 in my Bible. “I don’t believe this, Ms. Yvonne.”

“What causes your unbelief?” I asked.

She cleared her throat and said, “I’ve been through a divorce. I’m a single mom of two toddlers and don’t have an extra dollar to my name. I have to work two jobs to survive, and I’m exhausted.”

With a glare in her eyes, Susie slammed the Bible shut on my desk and said, “That can’t be goodness and love.”

I nodded. “The trauma of divorce, single parenting, and financial hardship are not.”

“You agree with me?” Tears moistened Susie’s eyes.

After a moment of hesitation, I smiled and said, “To a point. However, God can redeem your pain and suffering. God’s goodness and love can follow you.”

Susie raised her dark brows and scratched her forehead.  “How?”

“What the devil meant for evil God can use for good in this life. When you die, you go to heaven to be with him forever.”

With a quiver she asked, “Will God do that for me?”

“Yes, just ask him.”

Dear God, help me see the difficulties in my life as an opportunity for you to follow me with goodness and love. Amen.

Application: What heartache will you turn over to God this week?

Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega November 18, 2013