Sunshine breaking through

In our marriage my husband and I had been through many dark experiences; long term illness, bereavement, financial difficulties and others, but we had never felt the need to question God as to why. We had always been confident that He knew best. Now my anguish was intensified as I watched my husband struggle with "Why had God allowed this to happen?" Then, one Sunday morning as I arrived at church for worship, the struggle suddenly gripped me. "How could I worship God after what He had allowed?" This was my darkest moment. I hesitated, then I remembered how faithful God had been to us in the past. I could not, and dare not, turn from Him now I needed Him so much. Later, as I took the bread and the wine at the communion service I realised afresh that the dear, suffering Saviour understood all my distress and was there to meet my need, if I turned to Him.

My husband and I had always prayed regularly together, and now we began to have special times when we particularly brought the whole situation to our Heavenly Father. Very gradually our fears were calmed, and a quiet assurance, that God had everything in control, filled our hearts. Not all our questions were answered, but we were comforted by the thought that one day they would be. The words of the poet consoled us:

Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will GOD unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why
The dark threads are as needful
In the WEAVER'S skilful hands
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern HE has planned.

The sunshine began to break through and shine again as we trusted all to Him.

One of my favourite prayers is "Prepare me for all that you have prepared for me." As I looked back I began to see ways in which this prayer had been answered. When our son was only a boy I was so concerned, as he seemed to spend so much time alone. One day, as I was praying for him, it was as though God said, "Go and tell him how precious he is to Me." I shall always remember the look of joy that covered his face as I related those words to him.

Then, on another occasion during a very difficult period of concern over him, in prayer, I asked to be shown what was wrong and what could I do to help? Quietly it was impressed on my heart, that one day I would know, and I should leave it in His hands until that time came. God had known all the time about our Son. He was very precious to us, but even more so to God, and He cared deeply about what happened to him. We could afford to leave him in His hands...