It was truly a beautiful day. The sun was shining. The birds were singing. The flowers were blooming. I should have been in the best mood, but my day looked gray as I laid on the couch.

The house was quickly filled with the laughter and busyness of two energetic children. My niece and nephew would always make my day. Lilly Grace was three at the time and Eli was five. They had no idea that my world had been rocked and that I was struggling. Hugs and kisses and giggling were just part of the package when they were around… my brother knew I needed it.

He also knew I needed to get out of the house. We loaded up and headed to the state park. Hiking is one thing that is therapy to my soul. I love the peace that rustles through the trees as I walk and the view is always breathtaking. We began our hike near the animal rescue. There were owls, raccoons, and other woodland creatures in cages near the trail head. Seth and Lilly Grace were hand in hand as usual. He being a big burly six foot three and her being a petite three year old were a sight to see.

As she stumbled across the stumps of tree roots that had ruptured the ground beneath her tiny feet, she would look up and say, “Daddy, God loves me so much that He made these beautiful (sounded more like bootiful) flowers just for me.” And he would reply with a gentle, “Yes baby, He did.” She continued to describe the trees, the grass, the animals and the sky the same way and he continued to respond in the same manner. She then said, “Then Daddy, why did He make so many bumps in the road?” We all froze in our tracks. Tears began to stream down my face. Had God just spoken to me through a three year old? Was that happening? Did she really say what I think she said?

The very question I had for my Heavenly Father was coming right out of her mouth. God spoke softly to my heart as the breeze blew through the trees. Those bumps were not meant for harm, but for growth. To me, part of being God strong is realizing that God wants the very best for us, and though it may not seem like the best at that point in time or ever for that matter, we must remember the words in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”