There is a GOOD Apple!

This has really been heavy on my heart today. I was reminded this week of the several years I was under the care of a doctor who didn't have my best interest. I didn't realize, until after the fact, that the medicines he was giving me were what were causing the very problem he was treating me for. I could've come home, laid down in defeat, and given up... but God. I didn't give up on doctors because of one bad apple. I found the right doctor that helped give me my quality of life back from that issue. I had "friends" that didn't have my best interest at heart, and only used and took advantage me. Still, I didn't give up on finding those true friends in my life... but God. He helped me find the good apples amongst the bad. There were difficult teachers or professors I had; still I didn't quit school because of them... but God. He helped me shift my focus to the ones who truly cared about their students and wanted to help me succeed. There were seasons at certain churches that I knew if I stayed, it would only continue to lead me down a winding road of not growing in Christ... but God. I didn't quit church because of those hurtful and broken years and God led me, in 2014, to what I now call my "church of completion" until He calls me home. Even when I stepped away for 3 years to help at another church, my heart never left. There were years I didn't have the greatest experience with pastors, but I didn't quit praying for the pastor (because they are human too). I didn't quit church all together because of "church hurt". There have been so many times I could've prevented myself from going through a lot of hurt, because I wanted to be the "fixer" and "people pleaser"... but God. I now realize that those were needed lessons that helped me continue growing in Christ. There were times in my life that I know I was set up for hurt and threw under the bus, lied on and criticized... but God. In the middle of my pity party, that "still small voice" urged me to keep on going. There were years I was angry with God and trying to run from Him, because I blamed Him for my sickness all the time... but God. He never quit running after me, He never quit loving me, He never gave up on me even when I was that "bad apple". I don't know who this is for, but let me tell you one thing... don't you give up, don't you quit, don't you throw in the towel because of that bad apple. God still has a plan and purpose for you life. He's leading you to the right place with the right people "the good apples". I've truly learned in my life, what it means to focus (and how to focus) only on the good apples of life when you keep Jesus at the core of everything. He has your back through it all; you are truly the apple of God's eye! He is bringing you to a place of victory, healing, and restoration! 🙌❤🍎