“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”   

Jeremiah 29:11-13

As I read this verse, I begin to think of all the times in my life that were difficult. In 2006 I lost my father suddenly, and within the following year I lost the only other male figure in my life, my paternal grandfather. I couldn’t understand why God would take him from me. In 2015, I was I fired from my job (only time fired) just 6 months after welcoming our second child. I worried about finding another job and making sure we were financially ok. In 2020, the pandemic hit and turned the world upside down. I asked God when things were going to right themselves.

Difficult moments in my life have reminded me that the Lord has a plan, even if I couldn’t see it at the time.

I look back at losing my father (and grandfather), and realize it was a reminder to watch my health. Connections I made at the job I was fired from opened doors to my current employer where I have excelled. The pandemic, over the last two years has taught me many things. Slow down, enjoy the people you love (family and friends), show appreciation where it’s due, have patience.

Some of God’s plans materialize instantly, some of them take years to develop. One thing that is always constant, God is always listening, waiting for my voice to ask for help, to ask for guidance, to give my heart entirely to him. At that moment, the moment we give ourselves completely to Him, He will answer those Prayers, give us that Light to show us the way, lift us up when we’ve fallen.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, thank You for having Your plan for me. Thank you for giving me the life lessons to better myself. Thank You for always being there when I’ve thought all was lost and needed you most. Amen.