GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM

My Friend Betty – Ken Ebright

“We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.” (Romans 8:28 NCV) 

I’ll never forget her words, “God brings good things out of bad situations.” As a confused, lonely teenager dealing with my mom’s alcoholism and suicide, I would roam the streets and sometimes end up at my neighbor, Betty’s house. She was a committed Christian who ran the Sunday school program at her church. 

Those words came to pass when my dad remarried and I gained two stepsisters and a stepbrother, as well as a stepmom who helped me deal with my problems. Betty’s profound words came true another time when I made a mistake at a grocery store job, and I was let go. That same day I was promoted to a full-time job at a cable company. 

There was another time when my landlord wanted to raise my rent two hundred dollars, and I had to quickly find a new place to live. As a result of a Christian neighbor, I was able to find a new place to live that was only fifty dollars more. The move enabled me to cut some of my expenses, which also helped.

When my mom died, as well as the situation with my landlord, things seemed hopeless to me. Today, I remember how God showed up in my time of need. There is no crisis, trial, or circumstance that the Lord cannot fix. When Jesus was on Earth, He healed the sick, the blind and raised Lazarus from the dead. When bad things happen, the Lord knows what He is doing. I am thankful that He intervened because I don’t know where I would be if He had not.