By Kimberly Davidson
My husband and I didn’t have any children by choice. He had two boys from a previous marriage and didn’t want any more children. I, being a people-pleaser, coupled with the desperate ‘urge to merge,’ went along with his request. I don’t want to lose him! Plus, I’m almost 37-years-old. I mean, I’m getting too old to be running around after babies—I rationalized.
I created a nice, pretty Band-Aid I could put over my feelings of grief, of not experiencing the joy of parenthood. I drowned my voice and heart in order to preserve the relationship. Denying and burying my feelings was the easiest course.
We each have plans and dreams. And maybe that is what you’re facing now—the loss of a dream. You planned on being a mom by now; you planned on having your degree; you planned on being happily married; you planned on your kids being happy and healthy; you thought God would be for you and not against you … the list goes on.
I don’t know what your dreams are or were, but dear friends, rest assured—God’s got something good planned for you.
In the Old Testament, through a prophet named Jeremiah, God revealed that it was He who allowed His people to be taken into exile in Babylon. They had grossly disobeyed God repeatedly. Worse, they’d have to be there for 70 years! That’s a whole generation. I’m sure they scratched their heads, Not what we planned!
Because God is love and goodness, He also gave Jeremiah some good news to relay to His people. Scripture reads,
This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land”(Jeremiah 29:10-14).
God had a plan. So, they had to decide whether they would have faith in God’s plan, and wait it out, or throw up their hands up in despair and disappointment.
Thankfully, God has a plan for all of us, even when we are unfaithful. As you navigate your way through God’s transformation journey, consider it an opportunity to trust God with the bigger plan. He has never had any desire to harm you—only to prosper you—to give you a hope and a good future.
