Good coming from Bad

Hello All, I share with you first of all today this scripture from Romans 8:28. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose." A passage that at times has baffled many of us, including myself. A friend just finds out that they have Cancer and somehow we who call ourselves Christians are to understand that God will work for good amidst a situation like this. It takes a lot of Faith!
    Now a real life story. On Thursday, November 1st my little brother calls me to tell me that our Mom is having Surgery on Friday for she fell and broke her hip. She needs a hip replacement. To complicate maters mom has Fibromyalgia and is in early stage Dementia. To ccomplicate matters even more I had not talked to my Mom or step dad Phil for almost two years. Like some of you out there, I too live with a fractured family. Yes, I'm a Christian and a Pastor and I wish it were not this way, but this is a reality in my life and many of yours! 
    That same Thursday I called my step father with anxiousness to inquire about mom not knowing if he would take my call. Phil took my call and asked me and my Church to be in prayer for them. Ice broken, thank you God! In the weeks past Phil and I have spoken often and earlier this week I was able to finally talk to my mom with simple, "I Love yous" and "I miss yous" exchanged. Down the road I plan to visit them in Missouri.
     I wish it had not taken my mom breaking her hip to begin the healing process between us. But God has once again worked for the good amidst the physical pain my mom now deals with, not to mention Phil having to play nursemaid to her as he cares for her lovingly. A long way to go yet in re-building our relationships, but ice now broken.
   I share this with you today for I now that there are many of you out there reading this that are living amidst broken families of all kinds. You ache and you hurt over the anguish you feel. I write this to you who have families that experience little of this brokenness, that you wouldl truly cherish that! And that you would be in prayer for countless families that you know who wish their family was more like yours. Folks there is hope! And it comes in person called Jesus!  Never give up hope and always trust in Him.
     Your Brother in Christ, Rick Koch Dutchtown Church