As you may know, Theresa and I were recently approved to be foster parents. Part of the process of becoming foster parents was to complete training about common issues that children in the foster system face. One of the training sessions I was working through this week was on trauma informed care. Some of the material was similar to the topics we covered at our last Family Weekend in 2025, so if you attended the sessions or heard the recordings you may be familiar with this topic.
One of the things that was discussed is that children who have experienced trauma often have beliefs about life that are scarred by their trauma. One such belief is that, “bad things will happen.” Children who have experienced trauma often go through childhood believing that the world is a dangerous and unsafe place where bad things happen. It’s heartbreaking to think that a child would go about their day to day life with this idea in the back of their mind.
But I also find it interesting how the Bible presents a perspective that is opposite and even healing for that way of thinking. One passage that comes to mind is from Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” It’s like an encouragement that God is working for our good, and that we can expect good things in life instead of bad.
I can think of two examples of this for me. I’ll say that the first is sort of inconsequential and a bit funny but more recent. Our pastoral staff meetings are on Tuesdays, and we often go for lunch together after the meeting. This past Tuesday, three of us went to a nearby local restaurant. Over lunch, we shared about our families, what God was doing in the church, and how we saw God present in our lives and our work. At the end of the meal, we were presently surprised to find out that on Tuesdays before 5pm, they offer 20% off your bill. What a pleasant surprise, good things happen!
Another example is possibly more meaningful. We first started making cold weather packs several years ago. At the time, we were working closely with a church in Parkdale that served those who were down and out, the marginalized in the Parkdale community. We had brought a few cold weather packs with us that day, and I was down to my last one. Before we closed, a gentleman came in who I was able to have a nice conversation with. Right before he left, he asked, “do you happen to have any gloves?” I had one pack left for him with gloves inside, like they had been saved for him. Another pleasant surprise; good things happen.
I think there is one important observation about the Romans 8:28 verse above. While it begins by saying that God works for the good, this idea is attached to two other ideas: that God works for the good of those who love him, and those who have been called according to his purpose. It’s when we are loving God and pursuing God’s purpose in our lives that God works for our good.
Lifespring family, let’s continue to love God and love others with all our heart. As we pursue God’s purpose for us in this way, we can expect good things as God works all things together.