God’s Glory

22 // June 2020

by Tammy Madden

My name is Tammy Madden. I am 52 years old and live in the beautiful foothills of North Georgia in Chatsworth. I am married for 35 wonderful years to my amazing husband, Gene and we have a beautiful 17 year old daughter named Megan. About The Author W hen I was a child, I remember playing outside. The best memories were running outside, playing tag or red rover, or counting cars. It was a simpler time. We didn’t have cell phones or PlayStation or even Nintendo. We only had three channels. But life was simple. We connected. Kids rode bikes with no helmets, and we stayed outside with neighborhood kids until the street lights came on. There was no fear back then. Everyone helped each other. When someone was sick or in the hospital, family and friends got together and brought food or helped them with whatever they needed. I have been saddened because my own daughter was never able to experience such a sweet life.

So, when the coronavirus entered our country, I thought surely things in today’s world would only get worse. But I soon learned that once again, God had other plans. He knew before this horrible plague came what His plans already were. He had set things in motion that would surprise all of us. Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” I see this verse all over right now. As my husband and I pulled into the local park the other day to eat our lunch in our car, we began to see how God was using this horrible plague for HIS glory.

We saw a family of six get out of their car and lay a blanket on the ground for a picnic. Before they ate, they all joined hands in prayer. What a beautiful sight! We saw a couple holding hands, just enjoying the beautiful weather, walking through the park, and talking. Talking and laughing. Not on their cell phones. We saw little kids swinging on swings and playing tag and being kids. What a beautiful sight to see how God can take the worst scenario and make something beautiful out of it. As we drive through town these days, we see people cooking out and playing ball, and not just children. Parents are out in the yard with their kids, laughing and playing.

I know this is a scary time for everyone, but God has used it to bring families back to dinner tables together. He has used it to bring people to Him, and the people who never knew Him are running to Him with open arms, saying, “Here I am, God; use me!” In my own home, we have been struggling because my husband was laid off like many other people, and we have had people bring us food, money, snacks, and many other things out of nowhere. They just leave it on our porch and go. A friend at church made us an amazing lasagna dinner one night with garlic bread and all!

What better way for God to say, “Look up; I am right here, waiting for you with open arms!” than to take a tragedy such as this and turn it around for His glory! So in this time of sickness and being scared, know that He is there. He is trying to show us we will be okay if we just let Him lead the way. Let Him be the one we turn to during this time, and when it’s all over, let us all remember how we spent this time with our families, and let’s continue to do this. Prayers to all.

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