Down By the Bay Breath

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. Romans 8:28 NIV.

I love Japanese Chins and own several of them. They are neat dogs. But all of them have one issue. They have been down by the bay breath. Their breath smells like dead fish.

I don’t mind the smell, though. It brings up wonderful memories. I got asked what my favorite childhood memory was. I remember waking up in an air-conditioned room down the Jersey shore. My aunt got ready to take her walk. I would get dressed and rush out to meet her. That way, we could walk together. Aunt Betsy and I walked along the bay. The smell of dead fish overwhelmed us. The thing is, now, when I smell dead fish, it reminds me of memories from my childhood.

It's funny how something terrible can smell so good to me. God's goodness is unmatched and unwavering. He can turn any lousy thing into something good. I did a lot of terrible things before my salvation. God transformed those evil talents. He worked all things together for good. I made awful movies in the past and then did children’s Bible movies in the future. I teach art when I made bad art in the past to shock people. All the terrible atrocities I created, He took and made well again. It was a real blessing.

The Lord can turn any mess into a masterpiece. Any issue we have, He can heal and make us new. The Lord can make our sinful down-by-the-bay selves into something beautiful. He is amazing that way.

Thank You for making every bad thing we did good, Lord. Praise You for bringing all things together for Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.