When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without

by Laura Story

More than flowers or cartons of greasy Chinese food, the greatest thing people brought me was their presence. During the wait, which eventually stretched over two days and nights, my favorite visitors were the ones who said the three magic words: not “I love you,” or even, “I am praying,” but, “Here’s your latte.” Those words made me smile each time I heard them because the people who brought me lattes weren’t trying to give me answers. They were just trying to give me coffee. They sat with me and wept with me and never said a word. They were the ones who refilled my empty cup.

We each have plans and dreams for our lives. We think we know what’s best and if God just followed our plan, everything would be great. But God’s plans are much bigger than ours. Part of what God revealed to me that day in the waiting room was that just because God’s plan differed from mine didn’t mean that God’s plan wasn’t good, or that he wasn’t good. And it didn’t mean that he had abandoned us.

God doesn’t promise our stories will make sense in and of themselves. But he does promise they will find their greater purpose in light of his greater story of redemption.