My futile plans

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV Bible

Yes, God has plans for me. God has plans for each one of us. He is the great and almighty God, creator of the universe. So, who am I to think that my "great" plans, as well thought out as I might think they are, will trump His plans for me?

Today, I sit at my computer typing away. I spent the morning on a run, then came home and started looking for work. I have been unemployed for almost 2 months now. Wow, that is really not something I ever thought I would experience. My husband was laid off and out of work for eight months last year. God provided an open door for me to work full time for all of that time to help support our family. And, just when we were about out of money, God provided a job that we never would have planned for Todd in our months of searching. Two and a half months after my husband went back to work, I lost my job.

Here I sit finally able to truly understand all of those emotions my husband felt for 8 months. Being out of work is tough! A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed for a great job doing what I love, in our home town, with great pay, and I was one of two finalists. At the end of the week, after many plans and dreams of "we could finally do this" and "we could finally have a college savings for the kids," I found out I was not selected for the position. I have to honestly say I was mad at God. According to my plans, that was the best thing for our family, an opportunity that does not come along often in our rather geographically removed community.

And, while I struggle with the "Why not?" questions to my heavenly Father, he reminds me gently and consistently, when I listen, "I love you, my child. I have good plans for you that you don't know about yet." Remember, when you don't like what is happening in your life, God loves you. If you are willing to follow, He has good plans for you. As a parent, would you do something that you know will harm your child? God won't do that either. His plans will be worked out, and in time I will see, as will you, that His plans are good, and meant to be a benefit for the future, not just this very moment.