God’s Promise and Scripture

God’s Promise: All things work for the good of those who love Him

Scripture: 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. (Romans 8:28)

Devotional

I was born in South Florida into a wonderful family with my mom, dad, and older brother. We were what I call “Jew-ish.” We celebrated holidays with family and traditional Jewish food, but religion wasn’t part of our daily lives. In fact, I didn’t even realize until I became a Christian that Jews actually believed in God! My dad is a self-proclaimed atheist, and my mom believes in “something,” but not necessarily God.

In 2013, I became close friends with a woman named Karen. Her husband had grown up Jewish—bar mitzvah and all—and one day, while we were talking about marriage, she said something that changed the course of my life:

“I think the reason Mike and I have such a strong marriage is because we put God first.”

I was completely baffled. After asking what she meant, she invited me to church. Don’t laugh—but at the time, I didn’t think Jews were allowed in church! The only reason I agreed to go was because her Jewish husband attended, and it was the first time I’d heard of a “Jewish believer.”

Walking into church that first time was overwhelming, but as we’ve been learning in the book of Ruth, God’s providence is always at work. We “just so happened” to meet a couple named Melissa and Shlomi—both Jewish believers. Melissa took me under her wing, helped me buy my first Bible, and six months later, I was baptized on Ft. Lauderdale Beach.

Even though I had come to faith, I was the only believer in my family, including my husband, Josh. When I told my parents, my mom cried and said she felt like she’d lost a daughter, and my dad thought I’d joined a cult. I couldn’t understand how my atheist and agnostic parents were so upset about religion when it had never mattered to them before.

Five years later, Josh’s job brought us to Dallas. Determined to find a church, I took my kids each weekend to visit different ones—but nothing felt like home. I joined Bible studies and met wonderful people, but I still felt unsettled. Around that time, I began talking with my grandmother about Jesus. I remember reading Isaiah 53 to her and asking, “Who does that sound like?” She said, “Jesus.” I sent her a Bible, and though her health quickly declined, she continued to read it. When she entered hospice, I flew down to see her, and the day before she passed away, she accepted Jesus in one of her last coherent moments.

Looking back, I can see God’s hand in every step. When we moved to Plano, we “just so happened” to move across the street from Leah and Cody Dufour, who “just so happened” to invite me to Onward Church in 2024. From my first visit, I knew something was different. I jumped into membership and finally felt like I had found my church home.

As my faith deepened, Josh seemed to become resistant to Christianity. He often refuted the Bible in front of our kids, saying things like, “Just read Harry Potter.” While I’ve prayed for him on and off throughout these last 13 years, I committed to pray for him daily—that God would turn his heart from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh.

Over time, God began softening his heart. Josh went from comparing the Bible to fairy tales in January to, by November, reading it every day, coming to church each Sunday, attending the men’s retreat, wearing a cross necklace, and becoming a member at Onward. He’s been teaching our kids about the Bible and about Jesus, and you’ll find him serving with the elementary students on Sundays. God truly promises that we will find Him when we seek Him.

I've very recently begun to see glimmers of God’s work in the rest of my family too. Just this past Sunday, my dad—my self-proclaimed atheist dad—came to church with us for the very first time and told me afterward that he really enjoyed the service. My mom has already said that the next time she’s in town, she wants to come as well.

Since the day I was saved, God has been at work in my life—through seasons of joy, anxiety, and transformation. Especially this year, I’ve seen Him changing my heart in ways I never imagined. I continue to pray every day for the salvation of the rest of my family, trusting that God hears me and that one day, they too will come to know Him.

God’s providence weaves through every detail of our lives. What may seem like a coincidence is often His quiet hand guiding us toward something greater. My story is living proof that He is always near, always working, and always faithful.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How have you seen God’s providence at work in your own life?

2. When it seems like God isn’t listening or near, do you hold onto faith that He hears you and is working things out for good?

3. Who in your life can you begin praying for—trusting that God can soften even the hardest heart in His perfect timing?