God is Good...Every Time

My son has a book called "God is Good, All the Time." I've used that phrase a million times at camps and retreats. It's amazing how reminding ourselves that God is indeed good can make the biggest or smallest struggles seem manageable. Why should we worry, when our God is so good? Well, we were reading the book a while ago when I would say the first part he would say God is good, every time! I tickled him, "no silly boy, it's all the time" We went to the next page and I said the first part and he said "God is good, every time!" I tried to correct him again but he insisted that the correct words were "every time". So we finished the book with him saying "God is good, every time" after every page. And I realized part of the way through the book, that he was right. His words are better. We use the phrase "oh he always does that" or "she does that all the time" often to mean that someone usually does something, but it doesn't necessarily mean they always do. But when we say "he does that every time" it means, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Without exception.

I think it's easy for us to say that God is good when we are enjoying a beautiful summer day at the lake with our family, sitting around the bonfire looking at the stars, when a new baby is born, when my kids are making me laugh, or during praise and worship. But God is good during the good moments, the boring moments, and the tough ones. God was so good during the loss of my children, the way that He comforted me, met my needs, and allowed me a closeness to Him that was so special. God is good when I'm having a bad parenting day and I turn to Him to give me the grace I need to be more loving. God is good when He shows forgiveness that I haven't been able to give to others. God was good when Jesus hung on the cross in what seemed to be a hopeless situation, just as He was good to the first disciples as they faced opposition while bringing people to Christ.

I can't become overwhelmed or discouraged by a situation when I can simply recall all of the times that I have clearly been able to see that God is good. I can trust that this time too, God is good, even if I can't see it right now. Because God is good, every time. And that knowledge changes the whole game.

"God, thank you for being so good to us. Help us to praise you and know of your goodness in every moment, every situation. Let the knowledge of your goodness give us peace and calm our worry. Remind us of your goodness when we forget. Amen"