Finding Joy in Sorrow
by Bob Gaudi
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.” –Isaiah 55:8
We all know that God’s ways are not our ways, but often it is really difficult to see good in an event where our lives are turned upside down and we are left stunned by unexpected bad news. Just recently, one of my grandsons in Hawaii had such an experience. Stay with me and read on.
While visiting family in Hawaii just after Christmas into the New Year, I was chatting with my two grandsons and mentioned I was searching for a topic for this devotional. As they both read and often comment on my devotionals, I asked them to let me know if they had any thoughts about what might work as an appropriate message. The next day, the younger of these two young Christian men told me that his breakup with his girlfriend of over three years might be worth considering. He briefly told me why and promised to write a few notes for clarification and consideration. The following day, he penned and sent me his story. I found what I read to be poignant and worthy of sharing with you. He agreed that I could share his story with all of you. It goes like this…
My grandson Jacob and his girlfriend Paige had been together since they met at ‘Iolani High School in Honolulu, and they are currently both college juniors. Of late, their relationship was simply not working due to the distance apart and constraints on their available time. They attend school far apart; she in Washington, and he in Southern California. They are both collegiate athletes and scholars, and their lives are simply too busy and too far apart to allow for a meaningful relationship. Understandably, they had very few opportunities and little time to actually get together. The timing was simply not right for a continued relationship. The breakup was sad and extremely difficult for both of them; however, they remain friends. They both accepted the fact that God has other plans for them at this time and agreed to keep Him at the center of their lives, waiting to see if it is His plan for them to meet again in the future.
The background for this story is the really heartwarming twist to a seemingly sad breakup. You see, when Jacob and Paige met, Paige had never been to church—not once. She had no relationship with Christ. On what—unknowingly—turned out to be a very special Sunday, Jacob invited her to church with his family. Paige was absolutely captivated by the feeling she got from that experience. She loved the songs of praise, the fellowship, and Pastor Dan’s timely message; she was enthralled and wanted more. Fast-forward three years later: Paige openly identifies as a Christian, attends church with her college friends, is part of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at Puget Sound University, and loves reading her daily devotionals. Paige found Christ. One visit to St. Mark Lutheran Church and the seed that fell on good soil was planted (Matthew 13:3-9).
Jacob’s testimony to me was that it was hard to acknowledge and go through the breakup, but good ultimately came from it. He realized that God works in ways that are not our ways, in ways that may seem mysterious to us. He postulated that perhaps their entire relationship was part of God’s plan for her to be introduced to Christ, declaring he totally accepted that reality “as being the most important thing at the end of the day.” This is truly a joyful result of an ostensibly sorrowful situation and one shining example of God’s purpose for us.
We do not know where Jacob and Paige will go from here; time has not stopped for them, and their story may not be over. We do know that Paige has met and accepted Christ; another Christian found Christ as a result of the actions of someone leading them to Him and the salvation He brings. Praise God! Make disciples! Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being in our lives and for directing us in the way You wish us to go. Your ways are truly better than our ways, as are Your thoughts and actions. Thank You for all You do and help us to understand Your plan for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.