Today’s post come from Melissa Brotherton, a blogger I am very privileged to know. She offers rich insights on faith, family, and everything in between so go check out her blog and follow her on twitter. She also told me this is the first time she’s ever written a guest post so be sure to show her lots of extra love!
It’s October, which means we’re officially in Fall. At my house we’re discussing Halloween costume choices – my son will again be a Star Wars character and my daughter a princess. We’re also planning our annual apple picking trip. Then there’s Thanksgiving dinner to think of.
I’m sure it’s the same for you. But not quite.
Because as I’m planning for these events, I’m not including sweaters, jackets or boots. Our weather is still in the 90s, and our Thanksgiving dinner will be eaten outside on our patio, like every other year. My kids will not have bulky sweatshirts under their costumes, like I did growing up. Apple picking will include bottled water for hydration and sunglasses to fight the glare.
This is not what I grew up with. When I moved to Orange Country from Washington state, I felt like I’d been transported to a foreign country. Instead of the jeans, hooded windbreakers and rain boots I’m used to, people wear winter boots with mini skirts, and scarves are just a fashion statement. There’s no crisp, snap in the air or breath fog to linger around us. Instead we have the crazy Santa Ana winds that wreak havoc with their intensity and heat, fanning the flames of the wild fires.
Fall looks different here. But that doesn’t mean it’s not still Fall. God created it differently here, but He still created it.
There are times in our life when the season looks different than we had expected. Being single longer than you had anticipated. Adopting or fostering a child, instead of giving birth. Finding yourself a student once again due to lay offs from a downturn in the economy. Becoming a working parent, instead of a stay at home parent. Pursuing a marketplace career, instead of a ministry position, or vice versa.
In those moments, when life is turning out differently than you had expected, it’s easy to get discouraged and lose faith in God. Especially in situations that are close to your heart, ones where you feel like He is being cruel for not treating you the way you wanted.
Everyone quotes Jeremiah 29:11 for encouragement:
“For I know the plans that I have for you,†declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.â€
It’s the go-to verse regarding God’s vision for our future.
Have you ever noticed the context to that scripture? It’s part of a message that Jeremiah the prophet is sending to the Israelite’s in exile. They had been taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar; life was not going as planned for them.
They were God’s chosen people. They were meant for the promised land, Jerusalem. Yet here they were, captured, exiled, confused. And instead of saying that He would bring them back from there, God was telling them to set down roots.
“Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease.†Jeremiah 29:5-6
God was telling them that despite the fact that their plans weren’t happening, He knew the plans He had for them. He would say the same to us. Our response is not to continually mourn our plans, but to look to Him for what’s ahead.
“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.†Jeremiah 29:12-13
Today, if you find that life looks differently than you wanted or planned, seek out God to discover the plan He’s got for you. When our whole heart is in it, we will find Him and the hope we’re looking for.
24 Comments
“There are times in our life when the season looks different than we had expected. ”
Those are wise words Melissa! That’s when our trust in a Father who loves us with endless love must grow. Great encouragement, thank you!
Thanks Jay! I think sometimes that’s what causes it to grow!
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Next Top Iron Pastor America
Melissa: how often I have had to and how often I have needed to be reminded that God’s plans are much better. I have a short memory.
Then I remember, “Oh yeah. God has better plans for me.” Good post with some good thoughts.
I think this is a lesson that we can all be reminded of. It’s easy to get comfortable in our space and forget that God really does have it under control. Thanks for the kind words.
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Next Top Iron Pastor America
oh my. this one brought tears. you spoke right into my life, Melissa!
A slight return on all the times you’ve spoken directly into mine, Kelly.
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Next Top Iron Pastor America
AMEN! Our plans are not His plans!
Blackaby writes in Experiencing God that “God has never asked us to dream up a plan so He can join us.” Instead, we are invited to join God in His plan and purpose.
Love the encouragement in this post. Thank you Melissa! And thank you Jason for giving her this opportunity to bless us.
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..In the Word- Completing Joy
I love that study, Dusty. There’s so much truth and substance to it. And, yes, thanks Jason for opening up your space to a newbie.
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Next Top Iron Pastor America
Top notch post, Melissa.
Jason recently posted..God invades Saturday again
Thanks Jason. You’re always such an encourager.
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Next Top Iron Pastor America
Jason, thank you so much for giving me my first guest posting opportunity! You’re always such an encouragement to me and to others. And thank you everyone for your kind words.
Well said, Melissa!
Helen recently posted..Niceness is Nice- Pleasantly Disturbed Thursday
Thanks Helen!
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Terrible- Horrible- No Good- Very Bad Day
Definitely something I needed to read/hear and apply to my current situation. And, I need to remember it too.
Shelley recently posted..Its Canadian Thanksgiving
I like how you said that, because so often I read things & think it applies to my situation, but I forget to remember it.
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Terrible- Horrible- No Good- Very Bad Day
Loved how you connected your expectation of what fall should be with the seasons of our lives. Great stuff, Melissa. Thanks.
Thanks Kathy, a compliment from you is always appreciated.
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Terrible- Horrible- No Good- Very Bad Day
Great post Melissa. I’m glad I stopped by to read your thoughts.
“look to Him for what’s ahead”
Love it!
That’s really nice of you Tony. It’s a reminder I was needing too. I love it when God speaks to me through my own stuff. haha!
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Terrible- Horrible- No Good- Very Bad Day
love this post.
Michael recently posted..I Know A Little Bit
Thanks, Michael.
Melissa Brotherton recently posted..The Terrible- Horrible- No Good- Very Bad Day
Melissa, thanks so much for the guest post. What a wonderful reminder for all of us! Glad that his plans don’t change with our circumstances. Thanks again!
With how sick I was yesterday I’m even more grateful that you asked me to do this, I wouldn’t have had anything to post. Haha! Hopefully you’re home safely now.
I made it. Finally! Safe and sound… Thank you again. Glad that God had a plan for my absence and your sickness.