Opening Day

I've been looking forward to today for nearly a month. The girls don't know it yet, but I'm pulling them out of school early, and we're going to the baseball game. It's Opening Day of baseball season, the unofficial start

of spring -- except it's about 30 degrees out, and they're predicting rain showers.

This weather really wasn't what I pictured when I bought the tickets. I had visions in my mind of 70 degrees and sun. I'm sure the warm, sunny weather is on it's way -- it just isn't going to get here today.

Life is sometimes like today's Opening Day. Cloudy and stormy on days that we thought were going to be sunny and bright. Some of the biggest blessings that God has for us sometimes start with a storm in our lives. But God uses those things for good. He stretches and grows our character, and He creates good out of difficult circumstances.

The next time things don't go as planned in your life and your children's lives, use it as an opportunity to teach your children that God brings good out of the storm.

• If a game gets rained out or your child gets sick and can't go to a party to which he was really looking forward, us it as a learning opportunity. Find some good in the situation and point it out to your child -- he gets to do something else fun instead of the game or he gets to watch lots of TV when he's sick. Help your child see that good can come out of the storms of life.
• Make it a point to look back at a difficult circumstance when you have come through the other side. Talk with your kids about the good that came out of the situation. Point out places where your family grew stronger and places where God was at work even though it was difficult to see.
• On days when it seems like the sun will never shine again, days when the whole world seems to be against your child, hold them close and let them know they are loved. Remind your children that God loves them with a neverending love. Share with your children the story of the Israelites who went through exile and despair, yet God said this to the Israelites in Jeremiah 31:1-3, "'At that time,' declares the LORD, 'I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.' This is what the LORD says: 'The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel.' The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'"

No matter the circumstance, God loves us. Just like with baseball, though the season may start dark and gloomy, sunny days will come at some point. And we may just look back on that dark and gloomy day as the starting point of something good.