A Promise

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

This scripture has accompanied me for the past two years. It has provided comfort in the midst of chaos. It has given peace when fear has threatened. It is a promise by THE ONE who is faithful. At a time when trust was broken, and promises shattered...........the one who IS LOVE whispered ever so gently.

But why did Jeremiah speak these words over 2000 years ago? And how is it that they can speak to me TODAY?

God was speaking these words through the prophet to the nation of Judah at a time in which chaos, idolatry and the abomination of sin prevailed. God's chosen people had succumbed to the world, they had turned their hearts away from God. Jeremiah suffered greatly for his Lord, warning and prophesying to God's chosen people to turn back to their Father or face very dire consequences. They refused to hear and were taken into captivity by their enemies. And yet, over and over again, Jeremiah shared the good news of God's mercy and grace and compassion. Promises of restoration. Promises of forgiveness. Promises of mercy. Promises of reconciliation.

Jerusalem would fall. And the promises would come to fulfillment in a new covenant. The death and resurrection of our Savior.

How great is our God! Whose mercy and grace endure. How great is our God! Who is faithful even unto death.

The personal trials which I have encountered seem almost trivial compared to that described in Jeremiah. And yet.......I must ask of myself the obvious...have there been false idols in my life? Relationships or other things more important than my walk with the Lord? Where is the sin in my life? Search me, oh God....and lead me in the way everlasting.

My Father has promised me hope and a future. I have found it in my Jesus. Our Father has offered to you this same promise.

Don't Miss It!!!!

It seems that my motto these days is: "I'd rather give birth than move".

It feels like a never-ending project. I'm sore, I'm bruised, I'm just to the point of utter exhaustion. And yet, when it feels like I'm to my breaking point. I receive exactly what I need to keep going. Friday, I stopped by the office early on the way to a conference that I was just not in the mood for. As Friday's are typically casual days at the office, my boss commented on my attire (heels and slacks as opposed to shorts or jeans with flip-flops).......when I reminded her that I was enroute to a conference because she had insisted that "someone" had to attend. Her reply was, "you can stay here". What a blessing that simple command was to me at that particular moment. Later, a call from an insurance company with good news(?)

Last Saturday, my "favorite" daughter and I were moving furniture into the new apartment. With the hand truck, we were pretty certain that the two of us could manage the stairs with that huge armoire. At the first landing we found ourselves stuck. I was too exhausted to cry or scream and IT was too heavy to throw over the rail (lol). "Dad, please help me" I said in my heart as I conceded defeat. Just when I thought it was hopeless.....a man on a bicycle rode down our dead-end street.......later, my all too pragmatic girl......asked, "do you think that was an angel?"

The unique,hand-thrown communion cup and plate have graced my kitchen counter for a week, just waiting for a friend or neighbor to say "that's pretty" or "I like that". I would have sent it home with that person. Today, it was still on the counter as I'm finishing up the packing. On the counter was also "the perfect box" for it to be containered (the OTC's hadnt fit.) "I guess that means it's supposed to go with me" I thought. As I closed it into the box........I noticed some black-sharpie handwriting on the flap: "Almost There!" is on the outter flap. "Keep going" it said inside. "Thank you, Dad".
I cried.

The point is this...........If you think that God doesn't talk to you. If you think that he isnt working in your life...............well, my experience is that, more than likely we are just not paying attention. You don't have to be dealing with something "big" to hear him, either. Just look into the face of another one of his kids, sit on the beach, or watch a sunset! We are surrounded by the evidence of His presence. We are encompassed in His love. And YES!!! He wants to talk to you!