Hi, all. Just a thought to help start your weekend.

You see here a picture I took just this past weekend off the southern Alabama coastline. We made an unexpected weekend trip down to check on, take care of, visit, lay eyes on, and otherwise thank the Lord for our youngest daughter after a scary car accident that left her with a broken arm that need surgical repairs and a car that is not repairable.

If you are a parent, grandparent, or any other such caring adult, you recognize what I mean when I say we got a gut-punch phone call about the accident. That’s how the very long day started. It ended, near midnight, with us finally getting to lay hands on our grown kiddo. And already you’re wondering what any of this has to do with the boat in the water, or vice versa.

Well, I have a very simple little thought to offer. And it’s this — Something good can come from every thing.

Adding to the dynamic of the scene was that kiddo’s birthday was the day after her accident and subsequent surgery. She begged, pleaded, insisted, and basically demanded that she be dismissed early on Saturday morning, because it was her birthday. And bless their hearts, she was dismissed at breakfast time. Even though she has had some awfully tough pain, we got to spend a few days with her and her older sister and brother-in-law. We got to visit and laugh and eat with and spend some money on them all.

Before her Mom and I put on our brave faces, packed up our belongings, and headed back toward our own humble abode, we took kiddo to meet her older sister for a very nice outdoor ocean-view lunch. We enjoyed the very-much-needed sunshine on our faces, the wind at our backs, and the beautiful views — not just of that pretty boat and the waves — but of a smile on a face that had been through a very tough, hopefully only once-in-a-lifetime, birthday weekend.

God is good in all things. And in all things, God is good. Celebrate your many blessings this week! May the Son shine on your face!

Just a thought. ’Til later.

Rev. Brad Campbell can be reached at mastah.pastah@yahoo.com.