The Two Edges of Providence

[277 words] A young man invested his savings in a peach orchard. He worked hard. The weather was favorable, he had a beautiful crop. Then, just before harvest, a blasting hail storm struck. In a matter of minutes everything he had worked for was ruined. Embittered by the experience, he quit going to church. A Christian friend expressed his concern. The young man said, “I’m not going to church anymore because I can’t love and worship a God who cares so little for me that He would let the hail destroy my crop.” All was silent for awhile. Then the friend said, “The Lord loves you more than your crop. He knows that fruit does better without storms, but He also knows it is impossible to produce Christian character without the storms of trial. God’s primary concern is to develop strong men, not lovely peaches.” Many people equate God’s providence…