2020 Daily Devotion - Day 112
When Theodore Roosevelt was an Assemblyman in the legislature of the State of New York, events developed in his personnel life that wounded him deeply. On February 13, 1884, Roosevelt (or as historians often refer to him at TR), seated on the floor of the Assembly, received a telegram informing him that his wife, Alice, had given birth to a baby girl late the night before. He received the congratulations of his colleagues, but decided to finish work on legislative matters before leaving for home to be with his family. Several hours later, he received another telegram telling him his wife was very ill, and so too, his mother. He immediately left for the train station.
The train ride was very slow due to heavy fog. When he arrived home, he found that his wife, Alice, ill with Bright’s disease, was semi-comatose and near death. On the floor below, his mother, Mittie, was dying of typhoid fever. At three in the morning, Mittie died, and then in the afternoon, his wife, Alice, died as well. It was February 14, 1884, and TR wrote in his diary, “The light is gone out of my life.” Two days later, he wrote in his diary, “For joy or sorrow, my life has now been lived out.”
Imagine – he thought his life was over. He felt he had little reason to go forward. Yet, this man would ultimately make a major impact on our nation and the world. He would go on to be the President of the United States. As President, he would develop our national park system, develop laws against abusive child labor, laws to regulate the nation’s food supply, and develop the Panama Canal. He will always be remembered for the immortal words “speak softly and carry a big stick” when referring to foreign policy. Obviously, his life was not over when his mother and wife died on the same day, in the same house.
Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This passage is not saying all things are good, but only that God can take bad things and turn them into something good. He did it for Teddy Roosevelt, and He will do it for you, too.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, You are the one who turns bad things into something good. Today, remind us that you are doing so in our lives, even if we can’t see it right now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
The train ride was very slow due to heavy fog. When he arrived home, he found that his wife, Alice, ill with Bright’s disease, was semi-comatose and near death. On the floor below, his mother, Mittie, was dying of typhoid fever. At three in the morning, Mittie died, and then in the afternoon, his wife, Alice, died as well. It was February 14, 1884, and TR wrote in his diary, “The light is gone out of my life.” Two days later, he wrote in his diary, “For joy or sorrow, my life has now been lived out.”
Imagine – he thought his life was over. He felt he had little reason to go forward. Yet, this man would ultimately make a major impact on our nation and the world. He would go on to be the President of the United States. As President, he would develop our national park system, develop laws against abusive child labor, laws to regulate the nation’s food supply, and develop the Panama Canal. He will always be remembered for the immortal words “speak softly and carry a big stick” when referring to foreign policy. Obviously, his life was not over when his mother and wife died on the same day, in the same house.
Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This passage is not saying all things are good, but only that God can take bad things and turn them into something good. He did it for Teddy Roosevelt, and He will do it for you, too.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, You are the one who turns bad things into something good. Today, remind us that you are doing so in our lives, even if we can’t see it right now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yours because of Him,
Pastor John R. Steward
Senior Pastor
Mount of Olives Church
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