His Plan is Best~

Greetings~

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible: Jeremiah 29:11 "'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.'"

This verse is such a comforting and beautiful promise for all God's children.  No matter what is going on in your life right now, you can boldly say that God is on your side.  He is all about setting you up to bless you, not harm you.  To give you hope, not despair. To give you something to look forward to, not leave you perpetually crashing into one dead end after another.

Ooohhh--I can hear some of you lamenting, "God's plan is not happening for me.  I am not prospering.  I am under a lot of stress. I am hopeless..." 

Hit the brakes, people!  Let's break it down, okay? 

The very first thing we learn from this verse is that the plans belong to God.  

It doesn't say, "I know the plans I have for myself," declares Yenise, "plans to prosper myself..."

This does not mean I don't have plans.  I do – lots of them.  But right now I am quaking in my ankle socks just thinking about what would have happened if I could have somehow exerted control over Rayray's life and sent her to school in 2012.  She had graduated with her bachelor's in April and was ready to start grad school right away.  She did not want any time off, and was looking forward to starting her master's program. However, a clerical error was to blame for her having to defer enrollment for one extra year, which was not part of my plan nor hers either. And at the time, I called, cajoled, and cried to the admissions committee, even had a minor temper tantrum, but they would not budge.

The worse part was that I remember hanging up the phone feeling so smug – thinking to myself, "You won't budge?  Fine.  But you'll see; I know Someone Who will make you."

I turned to God and pleaded with Him to move the red-tape mountain.  I asked Him to unholster His heavenly guns and cause a ruckus.  I begged Him move the hearts of the inept ding dongs who messed up.  

Crikey! NOTHING HAPPENED.  

Except that all along God was busy behind the scenes setting us up to bless us. When we couldn't see how it would work out, He could.  When neither Rayray nor I could think of one good reason for this inopportune delay, He could. Rayray wound up working as a high school volleyball coach when she didn’t get into grad school.  That’s how she met her future husband. God always knew His plan was best.   And He also knew that we would eventually come to our senses and thank Him for being in control.  (The older and wiser we get, the more quickly this happens).  He knew that we would re-embrace this life of faith and accept that our way of thinking must take a bow to His will for our life.  

Sometimes that can be difficult because we are just so sure that everything would be better if ________ (fill in the blank).

What did you fill in the blank with?  I am not saying to let it go completely. After all, Rayray did eventually start grad school.  In fact, she is graduating in a few months. What I am saying, however, is that God knows best, including the timing of things.  If you're still waiting for something or someone, or if your dreams are on hold or even non-existent, let's take a step of faith together and embrace God's plans.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 "It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time."     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, If we're being honest, sometimes it's hard to believe that Your plans are best.  There are things You have allowed that we would not have chosen for ourselves. But today, as one big DEVO family, we take a step of faith straight toward You and thank You that You are in control.  Nothing and no one else has a say in our lives.  We open our arms wide to receive all the good You desire to do in us and in those we love, and we find comfort in knowing You have perfect timing.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~     

Detours~

Greetings~

I finally straightened out all the mess with my name at the Social Security office and was able to get my Driver’s License. For once, I came out semi-decent in my picture, and for that I rejoice!

But wait—there’s even better news: RAYRAY IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I waited a long time to write this DEVO, and now that the day has arrived, I am doing so with uncontrollable joy in my heart, and I pray these words will be an amazing encouragement for all you praying people out there.

Where to begin?

We parents carry such a burden for our children, and sometimes it is painful. Sometimes it is difficult. Sometimes it is agonizing. Sometimes we wonder whether God is even listening. Sometimes we throw our hands up and give in to despair. But then it all comes together, and we have a better understanding of what God was up to.

Rayray graduated college in May of 2012. At that point she had already applied for Grad School and was waiting for the answer. All her little ducks were in a row—her grades were there, her extra curriculars were there, and please, her mother was praying hard.

And then we get the news that a clerical error was responsible for her not getting into the program. It was discovered too late and Rayray was told she would have to wait a year.

THE HORROR! This did not line up with Rayray’s plan for her life, and frankly, nor with my plan for her.

But at this point in my journey with Jesus, I know enough to know that I am not God. That’s right. I do not always know best, nor am I capable of making all decisions on my own. And I don’t have it all figured out—not even close.

So I looked at my baby square in her disappointed face and promised her that there was no reason to freak out. God was in control—not some putz in the admissions office.

At least Rayray had a job. A friend of a friend of mine mentioned something about a Charter School that was looking for a volleyball coach, and Rayray wound up being hired on the spot. All this was in September of 2012.

I remember Rayray trudging off to practice those first few days—not totally hating it but feeling like it was a royal waste of time when she would rather continue in her studies.

At one point she said to me, “Mother, I know God has a plan, but this detour stinks!”

And I said, “Rayray, sometimes the greatest gifts are found where you least expect them. Trust Him.”

And wouldn’t you know that during her very first game the referee at the game invited her to a meeting for club volleyball. He thought she would be a great coach during the off season. Rayray, who was looking to keep busy, went to the meeting and then came home slightly disappointed because there weren’t enough kids for her to have her own team. There was, however, a spot as an assistant with some guy coach.

That “some guy,” is now her fiancé, and we are all praising God!

More tomorrow J

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Activate Your plans to prosper us and give us the future we have hoped for—for ourselves and our children. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~