If Tires Could Talk...

It's funny really. We want to be the best person we can be. We want to be strong, to make a difference. Yet we want things to go smoothly.
Imagine a tire company that wanted to make the best sports tires in the world, but never tested them. We would think that was silly. We also wouldn't buy them. Tires, to be safe and durable, must be tested rigorously. The tire maker must know they will hold up to the perils of the open road or they will not be in business long.
But have you ever thought about what the tire thinks of all that testing? (I'm sure you probably haven't, but humor me anyway.) It is driven at high speeds over ruts and bumps, through gravel and dirt. It is driven through rain, snow, storms and wind, over ice and blistering pavement  It is skidded, screeched  kicked (old school) scraped, under and even over inflated. And for what you might ask? So it can be stamped APPROVED, worthy of carrying precious cargo. 'm sure the tire would just as soon forego the test and just go for the stamp. But that's not how it works, with tires, ships, airplanes  or even character. They all must be tested to ensure their quality.
This last week my family was tested. My daughter went in for a routine "sex of the baby" ultrasound to find that there was no heartbeat. To make it worse, she found out there were twins. The next day Elisabeth Rose and Renee Rose were still born at 5 months. Our first grand-babies are born and taken away. A godly mother and father had to bury their children instead of holding them in their arms. Yet through the testing, they are being refined, no APPROVED. I am so proud of them. Does it hurt? Yes! Will it continue to hurt? Unfortunately, yes. Is God still good? ABSOLUTELY! He has a plan and will continue to work. My daughter and son-in-law have called them "their little missionaries". They hope that others will be strengthened and brought to Christ through this trial.
Here is my daughter's own Facebook entry on April 6th:

"Hi, as you might have heard, we went in for our 20 week ultra sound appointment yesterday to find out the sex of the baby. While we were there, we found out we had twins and that neither had a heartbeat any longer. They were sharing a sack and everything in it and they just didn't make it. We were sent to Doctors right away were I was induced and delivered, like a normal delivery (mostly), two tiny beautiful baby girls. We are heartbroken but know The Lord has a plan. He is good, always. Even though this devastating event, we completely trust him. We are thankful for the opportunity to be parents of two beautiful girls, Elisabeth Rose and Renee Rose. We will be having a small service to honor them and will keep you updated with the date and time. If anyone would like to help you can contact my mom Patricia Cross. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support."

My children are living out their faith for the world. What more could a father want?