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By Betsy Ore Glass

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are then called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Many of us are planners and live by our calendars. We know where we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to be doing on any given day. With all of our organization and planning many of us consider ourselves to be flexible and adaptable when we have unexpected things happen. Maybe a guest stays for dinner or we have to cancel our plans to watch a sick grandchild so their parents can go to work are just a few examples. Lunch with a friend has to be rescheduled for another time or weather has spoiled our day at the beach. In the scope of life, these things are very minor and can be figured out without any problem.

But some things happen that are truly unexpected and seem to come out of nowhere.  Major things. Life changing events. An accident, getting fired from a job you desperately need, the death of a loved one, a betrayal. We are left stunned and searching for answers. It is at these times that we are most likely to question our faith. “How could you God?  “Why this?” “Where are you God?” “Why did you let this happen?”  I know that there have been occasions in my life I have asked these questions. And then I am reminded in Isaiah 55 the Bible says “my ways are not His ways.” And I know that God does not owe me an explanation of anything He does but my mind tricks me to think if I could make sense of it, maybe I could accept it better. But many times, we have no answers and can’t go anywhere to get the answers. Things just happen. Life and death happens.  In those alone times of searching for understanding we must know we are not abandoned. In Isaiah the Bible says this in chapter 41 verse 10: Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. And then in Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet and light for my path. The Bible and prayer are where we can find the will of God for our lives in all the unexpected circumstances and chaos that takes us by surprise. God also makes a promise in Psalm 12:8: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will guide you with my eye. He is our rock and foundation no matter what!! Tuck these scriptures in your heart in case you need them one day.

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

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