Orlando Grace Church » Randy Woods

The Backside of God’s Cross-Stitch…

Randy Woods — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:39:43 +0000

Today in our staff devotions at Z88.3, we were discussing the recent passing of my boss’ sister-in-law and the current status of Josh Hunter’s daughter Ava. Our bible teacher, Dr. Reggie Kidd, spoke about the reality of our limited vision and our non-God eye’s view of things. He spoke about when in grad school, he and his wife took up cross-stitch. His cross-stitch was absolutely a mess on the back side, but was beautiful on the front side. With that in mind, he said that “We see the backside of God’s cross-stitch.” The back side of God’s work, the work we are able to see with our human eyes, is sometimes very messy. Like the reality of your 5-year-old daughter being ravaged by cancer. Sometimes though, we are privileged enough to get a glimpse of the master work of the front side. I can attest to this when I think back of the death of my father. He died suddenly when I was 15. I knew nothing of the Lord at the time (nor did my father), but the tragedy of his death started me down the path of salvation. Through that process, I came to Christ, and over the next several years, I was influential in my mother and future step-father coming to Christ as well. Whenever I hear of someone having died, or close to death, I think of my story and how something so ugly and messy was actually a marvelous work of our gracious Father.

Holy Father, would you work marvelously in the Hunter family today? Would you listen with mercy to the cry of your people for healing? If that is not your plan, would you be gracious and allow them to get a small glance of the beauty, the front side, of your plan? Amen.

Susan is home from the hospital – God is good!

Randy Woods — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:59:54 +0000

Before I go any further, I have to say that no matter what the outcome of Susan’s hospital stay, God would still be good! For if we did not believe it, we could not finish the phrase “God is good” with “All the time” (and when in Digoland something about a high five…).

None of the tests that they gave Sue, and there were many, showed any issues. The only conclusion that they could come to is that she has a pinched nerve somewhere and needed massage therapy. (OK, now you can stop feeling bad for her!) This is obviously good news. Probably what many of you prayed for. (Side note: Are you sometimes surprised when your prayers are answered they way you asked? I know I am.)

Thank all of you the prayed for her, and offered support to our family. Thank you PC for your loving care. You make me want to be like my pastor!!

Count it all joy!

Randy Woods — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:17:00 +0000

Easy to say in the good times. Much harder during a trial. God has been teaching me over the last few years to look hard for His view of my circumstances rather than mine, especially during struggles. During our Sunday school emphasis on James last year, He drove home a bit more.

James 1:2-6 (ESV)

²Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

But, knowledge of scripture commonly stays in the head, and rarely transfers to the heart until it is put to the test. James 1 is certainly no exception. We like to give God credit for the “good” things, but we are less quick to give Him credit for something that our eyes of flesh would first assume is a “bad” thing. Romans 8:28 combined with James 1 tells us otherwise. Again, easier to say than to live.

My last big trial was when I was laid off from my job in 2001. I am not proud of my behaviour during that trial. But, I can say in the rear view mirror that God worked mightily in my heart during that season. He showed me why my career had been shaped the way it had up to that point, and I am now in a job that is much more rewarding than I could have ever imagined… a career I would never have chosen on my own in 2000. He continues to change my behavior in many ways through that trial, and in my current career through the present time. Anyway, I have not faced a serious trial since then, but God has continued to hone my mindset when it comes to the thought of a trial. I believe He is doing this to prepare me for my next trial. To prepare me to give Him glory during an event that the world would consider bad.

My wife Susan had a spot on her breast a couple months ago. Practically her whole family currently has, or has died from, cancer. Immediately this type of news takes my mind to the worst of thoughts. Then I remind myself of what the Lord has been teaching me. Count it all joy. Was this going to me the trial I was preparing for?? Would I be able to praise my heavenly father if he chose to take another family member—my wife—with cancer? I’m not totally sure, but my prayers to him said that I would do my best, with His help. Thankfully, the spot turned out to be nothing, and Sue was fine. Praise God.

Last night, I took Susan to the ER. One half of her head was partially numb and had a tingly sensation. Look this up on WebMD and they say to dial 911! Not encouraging to say the least. Again, my mind asks “Is this the trial?” Well, she is still in the hospital, and the test results are not yet in, so the answer to this question is “I don’t know.” It was easier to write about the last potential trial because it is in the past. Part of me says not to discuss my thoughts on this one while it is still happening. What if it does turn tragic? Am I setting myself up for public failure before my Lord? Ugh, that is a horrible thought… at least from my point of view… What was that I was saying about His point of view? Focus Randy, focus!

Anyway, my prayer of my mind is that I ask the Lord to not make this the next big trial. My prayer of my heart is still in training. Would you be in prayer with me for Susan? My family and I would greatly appreciate it.