When the End Means the Beginning

“It is finished.”
John 19:30


I stayed up late last night watching the Facebook status, waiting for news about Baby Annabelle. Annabelle’s mom is one of my Facebook friends, and I, along with many others, have prayed for Annabelle since she was born with a rare heart condition. A heart transplant was Annabelle’s only hope for survival, and late last night, she got her new heart. As I write this the baby is doing well, and I pray that soon she can go home with her family. Annabelle has spent all of her short life, nine months, in the hospital.

As I thanked God for Annabelle’s new heart, I remembered the donor family. Someone lost their child yesterday. Annabelle’s family’s joy came at the price of another family’s sorrow. Life is like that sometimes—a horrific event in some way brings blessings. We may not always see them. God’s blessings sometimes remain hidden to us, but He knows. To everything there is a purpose.

I’m thinking of that Friday, two thousand years ago, when Pontius Pilate turned Jesus over to the crowd to be crucified. Jesus, the beloved Rabbi, the Teacher. What a horrendous sight: Jesus of Nazareth, beaten and bleeding, nailed to a cross, dying. Such a sorrowful day for those who loved Him.

The greatest blessing of all lay in God’s hands that Friday, hidden, ready to reveal in His time and according to His purpose. Those who stood weeping at the foot of the cross could never imagine that Jesus’ death was necessary for our eternal life or that His suffering would bring infinite joy.

Last night, when Annabelle’s surgery was over, her mom posted “It’s finished” on her Facebook status. Just before Jesus died, He, too, said, “It is finished.”

Sometimes, the end is just the beginning.

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46:10 (NIV)



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By Max Lucado, Published by Thomas Nelson
Max Lucado has a unique way with words, and his children's book Hermie A Common Caterpillar is no exception. With simple text and bright, watercolor illustrations, the story of Hermie unfolds.

Hermie wonders why he looks and feels so common. Whenever he asks God why, God simply answers, "I'm not finished with you yet." Then, one day, Hermie feels very tired. He gets into his cozy, leafy bed, and he sleeps. And while Hermie sleeps a transformation takes place. When he wakes up, Hermie discovers that God has done something grand. You can guess what it is. Every caterpillar that lives to adulthood knows the end of the story.

Parents, please share this book and its powerful message with your children. We are all special because God loves us, and He has a unique purpose for our lives. Whenever we slump into feeling ordinary, we know that we have hope because . . .God isn't finished with us yet!


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I review for BookSneeze®


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