And, if not He is still good...

"And, if not He is still good."

This verse from Daniel is on the first page of my current journal.

I've been meditating on it a lot.

I have mulled over if my attitude, my words, my mere presence

reflects His goodness

when He says,

"NO".

There have been a lot of NOs in the past year.

NO to a job opportunity that would have eased the financial burden of being a single mama tremendously.

NO to my pleas to rescue my marriage.

NO to a house.

NO to a car.

NO to so many things I thought that would make life 

better,

easier,

more enjoyable.

Bob Goff shares that "Sometimes you build what you didn't even mean to build & you end up with something better...People talk about bridges when they talk about how God wants to connect with us...but, I don't think I'l l use that phrase anymore...You see, I've built a bridge...and, while I ended up with what I set out to make--a way to get over a river, I ended up with something even better in the process--a way to get through it."

So, all the NOs just gave me something even better--

a way to get through it.

And, those NOs lead to some YES(es)...

YES to a promotion.

YES to seeing my self worth & being confident on my own.

YES to #jillyshouseofnewbeginnings.

YES to keeping & refinancing my car.

YES to friends.

YES to new experiences.

YES to His will NOT my own.

Faith does not increase by accident.  Growth takes time, dedication, and intentionality.

--Charles Stanley

In I Peter we are promised a day when we will have it all--a life HEALED & WHOLE.

But, that day is brought about when we are can truly say,

"If NOT, He is still GOOD."

When we are ready to embrace suffering rather than prestige. 

Because, NOT for a moment are we forgotten by God.

(I Peter 5)

HE IS GOOD.

ALL. THE. TIME.