Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about Paul’s words in his epistle to the Romans: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Read it closely. All things – good, bad, easy, hard, everything we meet in life – work together for our benefit.

We’ve experienced a lot of hard things this year, and yet I’m struck by all the good that is coming as a result.  Our maternity shelter is one example. In the early months of the COVID-19 outbreak, Good Shepherd chose to halt intakes as a way of keeping everyone safe.  The resulting open rooms have allowed us to refresh the facility with the deepest clean it’s ever seen as well as painting and refinishing. We’ve also taken this time to reimagine parts of the program itself. We’ve looked at how we could update our policies and eliminate challenges so we’re ready to do an even better job of serving the next group of moms and babies we welcome through our doors.

This would have been a much more difficult process if we’d tried to implement changes in the midst of a full shelter. We’ll be coming back with improved service and outcomes, and that’s what we’re here for.

There are other examples throughout the agency. From upgrading our technology to renewing our sacred commitment to our mission, our team, our clients, and our faith – none of these things would have happened without the challenges presented over the past few months.

It’s been a reminder that sometimes our plans are not God’s plans, but we can see Him in every person, thing, and circumstance. We can see His grace amidst the chaos and suffering if we look hard enough.

There may be new and different obstacles we’re facing, but Good Shepherd has seen that people need us now more than ever. We don’t know what the next chapter holds but we’re crossing our fingers and saying our prayers that we’ll be here for another 200 years to serve them. We’ll trust in God to provide the means to make it happen.