NOVEMBER 24, Job 23:10

Seng stared out of the airplane window. He wished he could be excited about his first plane ride, but his thoughts were swirling like the thick clouds below.“Why did God let Mom and Dad be in that accident?” he wondered. “I like going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to stay a while, but not when it’s because Mom and Dad are in the hospital.”

He turned from the window when the flight attendant arrived and served the beverages they had requested. “Cheer up, Seng,” encouraged his older brother, Kiong, noticing Seng’s frown. “Drink your juice. It will help you feel better.” I’m not thirsty,” said Seng. “I keep thinking about Mom and Dad.” Kiong gave him a lop-sided grin. “I know, Seng. I really feel the same way – but we need to trust God. He loves us and cares for us, and He knows what He’s doing in our lives.”

Seng nodded, but he wasn’t sure he agreed. He sipped his apple juice, then with a sigh, turned to the window again. Immediately the sigh became a long whistle. “Look, Kiong!” he exclaimed. “the clouds have cleared away, and I can see all the way to the ground now.” Pressing his nose to the window, Seng stared down at the colorful fields and the cars and trucks that looked like tiny toys. “I didn’t know it would look like that,” he said. “Everything looks so little! Wowl! I like this!” Seng’s solemn face had brightened.

Kiong leaned over. “It’s great,” he agreed, “and you know what? All that stuff was down there all the time. You just couldn’t see it because of the clouds.” Seng grinned and nodded. “We can think of Mom and Dad’s accident in the same way,” continued Kiong. “To us, the whole situation is cloudy, and we can’t see anything good in it, but you know who can, right?”

“You’re saying that God can?” asked Seng.

“That’s right,” replied Kiong. “Remember what Dad told us when they let us in to see him at the hospital? He reminded us that we accepted Jesus by faith, and need to live by faith – accept whatever God allows to come into our lives. Mom and Dad are doing that; we need to do it, too.”

Thought: Do you have a cloudy outlook on life when tough times come? God cares...

Prayer: Thank You Heavenly Father that when I have the biggest of problems, I can have the greatest King of kings in You to help and care for me. Teach me to have faith in You, and to know that even when tough times come, You still care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.