This morning, during my quiet time I flipped through my bible and found a sheet of paper from September 11th, 2018. I'd written somethings I felt like God had been showing me lately... I read it, and through tears decided I needed to share this story. What stood out to me the most is the scripture that I wrote on the back of the second page.
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you...."
When wrote that, I was living at my mom's house... desperately wanting to move out and wondering why it hadn't happened sooner. Hanging next to the front door my mom has that exact scripture on a piece of wood.
Months later at the end of November / beginning of December I attended a party for a friend's wedding and met a girl named Jen. I learned that she loved the show Friends and we talked for a while. I was chatting with another one of the girls that was there, and somehow got on the topic of where I wanted to live and I just said, "I'm moving into Worthington Glen!" She asked who my roommates were and I told her I had no idea, but I was trusting God would provide them... She turned to Jen and said, "Jen lives in those apartments and has a room available!" And Jen was like, "Yup!"
In the past I'd gotten really used to being disappointed by friends talking about moving in together and it never happening. I got her number and we started chatting about it. Trying not to get my hopes up. After texting for almost two hours I really felt like God had brought us together... so when I went over to see the apartment, guess what scripture they had hanging next to the front door...
About 2 weeks after moving in I drove up to Brentwood for some work stuff and then went over to my Grandmas for dinner. After dinner she said she had a little Valentine's Day gift for me. Inside the bag was a journal with, guess what scripture on the cover.... "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 hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 LIKE WHAT. God is crazy cool.
I'll be honest, I've been a little worried about the future lately.... and I've felt really impressed to spend at least 30 minutes a day in quiet time. Whether that's reading the bible, listening to worship music, praying, drawing, or just sitting still for 30 minutes. I'm so glad I've made this a priority. Finding that piece of paper from September and seeing that verse yet again has been a great reminder to trust Him. Knowing that God gave me that scripture before all of this happened too, just makes me remember that He has everything in control. So regardless of the road you're on... just know God has a plan. It probably won't make sense right now, but at some point it will.
I came across a section in my study bible today that says, "The hope we have is not a vague feeling that the future will be positive, but it is complete assurance of certain victory through God. This complete certainty comes to us through the Holy Spirit who is working in us." Sometimes people say I'm super positive or abnormally optimistic... but it's not me.... it's my faith. I believe with every once of my being that God has a huge plan for every single one of us.... and that's exciting!
But the only way to feel that excitement is if you truly believe it... So I'm asking you to believe... deep down in your soul that regardless of your skillset, you're good deeds, your age, your track record, regardless of all of that... I'm asking you to believe that deep down God has a plan and that it will come to fruition. What's the worst that could happen by simply choosing to believe in the good?