Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Redeemed {& a Giveaway!}

I love that I have been given the opportunity to review products by Dayspring and their new "Redeemed" collection.  I love Dayspring and I love the brightly colored products in this collection.

When my box arrive of products I was selected to review, I excitedly tore into it and found some beautiful things and this verse:

“In all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28


Redeemed Gift Bag
   To be honest, this is not the top scripture I have wanted to read since the beginning of 2012.  To be honest, I sometimes have a hard time seeing how God can work us bringing Samuel home just to give him back for "good".  To be completely honest, I can't see how seeing my father suffering and dying from lung cancer can be worked for "good".  BUT, that is exactly why I need God's redeeming love.  It is exactly why I need to repeatedly read this verse.  The verse doesn't say, "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and they will get to see the good."  The verse does say, "In all things GOD WORKS for the good of those who love Him..." 

God working for our good doesn't always mean we will see the good. 

Was God working the day Samuel was born.  Yes. 

Was God working during my father's illness?  Most definitely. 

Is God working now, in the aftershock of grief?  Absolutely. 

I know He was working the day Samuel was born due to the miracle that took place and how close he came to not making it here safely.  I know He was working during my father's illness because I prayed with my dad and I have heard stories of him actually leading prayers with others.  That in itself is amazing.   I know God is working now because he has surrounded us with loving, caring people who will pray with us and for us and support us with their love and prayers.

So, I guess you could say, this verse is now one that I lean on regularly.  No matter what, God is working.  Whether I can see the good or not, God is working.

In All Things.

(Who knew all this would come from a product review?!)

One of the things I was sent for review was the Found Tea Cup.  I love this!  It may actually end up being a gift to remind a dear friend of mine that He is Working...



The I Am Found Mug.  I. love. this. mug.

I AM
found
redeemed
remade
transformed
treasured
and...


LOVED.


I love the little reminder of love in the bottom of the mug.  I think I feel a coffee craving coming on...

I was also sent the Love One Another Memofolio and the gift bag to review.  I love this little notepad and sticky notes.  I am a compulsive list-maker so these lovely stickies made me smile too.

Redeemed - Love One Another - Memofolio
Redeemed - Love One Another - Memofolio
Redeemed - In All Things - Medium Gift Bag with tissue
All of these products were not only beautiful and well-made, their message is meaningful and so important.  You are loved.  You are redeemed.  God IS working.  I absolutely love this whole collection! 
But wait!
I have one more little goodie to show off...
And GIVE AWAY!
This lovely wallet is part of the Redeemed Collection, and I just love it so much! 
Redeemed - Truly Treasured - Wallet
Redeemed - Truly Treasured - Wallet
Redeemed - Truly Treasured - Wallet
One truly treasured reader will be winning this Truly Treasured Wallet!  The giveaway will be open until Midnight, Tuesday, April 17, 2012 and the winner will be chosen at random. 
To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment below telling me how you have seen God Work in your life in the midst of a hard time.  That's it!  Just share how God worked to redeem a situation or how you felt him working.  Think hard, it may not be something obvious!
Now, for no extra entries (just to be nice and give others the opportunity to win!) share this giveaway with someone you treasure.  Send an email to a friend or some one who has allowed God to work through them to redeem the hard times. 
(I was sent these products from Dayspring in return for a review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.)

11 comments:

Lory said...

I takes awhile to see God working sometimes.
I see Him working as I look back on my 2 beautiful babies.
If I hadn't experienced a few early losses, I don't know that I would treasure and love my children as much as I do today.
They are beautiful gifts from God and I now see how He was working when I was grieving so hard.

Elena Vo said...

Thank you so much for the giveaway and the encouragement!

Three years ago I was a college student juggling many plates- scholarship volunteer hours, jobs, friends, church activities but most importantly, the relationship with my parents who weren't believers at that time.
God sustained me at that time by sending wonderful church friends that gave me guidance.
There were days when after getting off the phone I cried because my mother said something harsh about my faith, but God always sent me a little something to encourage me! An unexpected visit from a dear friend, a free latte, a cancelled class and a sunny day outside, or a perfect Bible verse for that situation.
Today my mother is a believer- God is faithful! My father is next, I know it.
Elena V
wildorchad@rambler.ru

Sarah said...

We are in the process of building a house and moving and it has been really stressful, but God has open up just the right doors for us at just the right times and He has made everything fall into place nicely.

slavila (at) rochester (dot) rr (dot) com

Lori said...

Oh yes, Mattie....I so, so know these feelings...

"But how will Matthew dying EVER be worked for my good????????"

And yet, if he'd lived...we'd not have Luke...who is most definitely so much for our good I am in awe of God's providence in sending him to us.

The morning Matthew died, my OB kept repeating Romans 8:28 in my ear...whispering and telling me I'd not feel it then, but I could believe it.

And I do...even when we don't see it and can't fathom it. He doesn't ask us to understand it...just to believe it.

Sending you love friend...knowing your precious heart has suffered so much and is grieving, I weep with and pray for you.
xoxo

Gabrielle said...

One of the biggest ways right now that I know He's working is helping me to find contentment in my situation and knowing that it's all part of His plan. I am right where I am supposed to be.

BumbersBumblings said...

I'm having a hard time narrowing down to just one trying time, but I guess I'll say going through years of infertility to bring us to adoption and our amazing son. I'd do it all over again. God was and is faithful!!

nicole said...

I have always prayed for peoples adoptions/health etc..only things that are truly important and god always answers..about a month ago our 5 year old came down with a severe case of pheumonia.i prayed all week unceaselessly and god answered she was quite ill but pulled thorugh and came home to recoperate and we were thrilled..god always answers us sometimes in ways we dont understand but if you listen youll hear god talking and answering..

Kathy said...

God helped me get through the death of my friend Irene who had cancer. I'm positive he worked through her, because she helped us as much as we helped her.

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

What a sassy wallet! Love it.

You know the Lord has worked beauty from much ugly in my life. Our oldest son...a gift of grace born from my rebellion. Two sweet baby girls born still as the most beautiful snow I've ever seen fell from the sky. The day Jesus met me in the room where I rocked and sang as my baby boy went straight from my arms to the arms of Jesus. He is faithful...to meet us there. To carry us. To restore our broken places. He does it over and over again.

Thanks for the opportunity to reflect again on His grace and love.

Blessings to you beautiful mama!

Holly said...

Simply, God got me through a fatal diagnosis, carrying a pregnancy, and the stillbirth of my daughter. He allowed me more moments of joy than I ever imagined.

Sarah said...

What a beautiful blog! God got me through the death of my mother by surrounding me with the Christian community to pray and care for me. He also gave me His supernatural grace and peace in a way that I've never felt before or since. So grateful for God's provision!