Thus Israel dwelt in the land of Egypr,

in the land of Goshen,

and they gained possessions I it,

and were fruitful

     and multiplied exceedingly.

                         Genesis 47. 27

(God uses powerfully

even what we see

as wilderness,

a place of exile,

a barren-looking landscape,

        or even affliction.

The turning point comes

when I stop asking "Why, God?"

    and pray expectantly 

             "What, God?")