God is in Control

   God is in control.

   That is easy to say, especially when things work out for the good (in our eyes). But how about when we don't understand?

   Yesterday we were in Savannah, visiting our friends who are the grandparents-to-be, while their daughter was in the process of delivering their first grand child. The daughter had been hospitalized a few days previously, because of potential problems with her own health and that of the baby, so she was already in the right place, when the doctor decided that he needed to induce labor so as to forestall any possible bad outcomes.

   The little boy was born right after noon with his cord wrapped around his neck two times, and he was not breathing. After putting the child on the respirator (I think that is the right term), everything settled down, and now he seems OK, although they will keep him in the hospital environment for a few more days, just to make sure.

   All involved could see the hand of God is this delivery, from being in the right place for the help he needed, to the successful outcome. They could say with confidence, God is in control.

   Contrast all of this with another grand parent experience that appeared on the church prayer chain the same day. A woman's seven year old grand child was injured badly in a car accident and not responding to treatment. I don't know the outcome this morning, but I would suppose that it is much harder for her to say with confidence that God is indeed in control.

   Do I believe in my heart that God is really in control and that He wants only the best for me, or do I just "believe" when times are good?

   And if I say I do believe that, is it an active believing faith or just a shoulder shrug and a "whatever" comment?

   God help me to truly believe and not just speak the right religious words.....