If you’re like me, one of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Who of us can begin to imagine what God’s welfare looks like? Far too often, it’s hard to envision because we’re swallowed up in our own struggles and can’t see how they are molding us for His usefulness. Woes can get the best of us! Amen?
As a former single mom, I remember when I hurt with no end in sight. I wondered if my life would ever be normal again. I felt like no one noticed the sacrifices I was making in keeping the household afloat. I’m not talking about self-pity here. I’m talking about GENUINE thoughts like, “Is the Father REALLY going to work everything together for a higher profit someday?”
Friend, God is not only strengthening us day by day through our afflictions, but He IS weaving at this very moment every joy, every unfair judgment, and every resolution to endure for good – Yes, for our good and the Father’s good. He notices our perseverance when we grow faint and He stores our noble acts of surrender when it’d be easier to give up. And why does He do that? Because His ultimate purpose is to “break us to use us” that His Spirit might flow through us.
I’m speechless with this new award of being nominated by Governor Fallin and chosen by American Mothers, Inc., as Oklahoma Mother of Achievement – 2015. Are you kidding? Me? The single mom who struggled and on certain days wondered if God was even there? Me? The woman who wanted to lose heart time after time? Me? The imperfect mother trapped in the cage of bitterness called “I didn’t deserve this.” Me?
As I look back, I wholeheartedly testify that God never wastes a sorrow! Not one boo-boo goes unnoticed without a more advanced purpose in mind. Each one comes camouflaged with a life lesson tucked inside the inner lining.
It was NEVER in my thoughts as a single mother that I would EVER receive such an award, but God was knitting together this honor for such a time as this. And for what reason? That I might KNOW THAT I KNOW that God desires to delight His daughters with dreams we never imagined possible! He “wills” to bless those who love Him. Yet it’s not just for their joy, but ultimately for His pleasure.
Friend, God is at work NOW in our circumstances. He is doing something NOW we could never orchestrate on our own. And one day we will see! Until then, we can find courage in the Father’s heart of welfare and expect Him to do exceedingly and abundantly, just like He promised.
All glory belongs to God, whose power is mightily at work in us at all times. By this power he can do infinitely more that we could ever ask, think or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 – God’s Word Translation
