Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope."

This scripture was shared today at a bridal shower I went to. The bride-to-be has been through some dark days and is now facing a bright future. She told us how this passage helped get her through some really bad days.

My life has undergone so much change over the past three months. The job I had, and left, was my life for eleven years. I realize now that since having Kaelyn and later Kate, I had been trying to hard to reprioritize my life and I wasn't succeeding. The job was still coming in first place. I often justified it by telling myself that I was doing "God's work" by helping to care for those that needed help. My work filled my heart with joy and made me feel good about myself for a long time. The only identiy that I felt I had was my job. Leaving this job behind me in April was one of the most difficult things I have had to do in my life. I have had to use these past few months to heal and to get to know myself outside of my job. I used to joke with my co-workers/friends that I could never stay home with my kids. They drove me nuts! But now I realize that this is the most important job I will ever have and it's a one shot deal. Oh, they still drive me nuts some days but it's a good nuts. I feel like a new person these days. I have such a feeling of contentment and serenity.

so, today I reflected on the passage from Jeremiah 29:11 and know that I do have a future filled with hope. God has led me to be right where I am supposed to be.