“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
This verse seems to be one many turn to in tough times. We want to cling to the words God says; cling to His gracious promises. This verse declares that the Lord wants to give us peace and prosper us, give us a future and a hope. This is good news no matter what it seems at the moment, God has not forgotten His people. He has ordered our steps and has our best interest at heart. He has plans. That means they are well thought out and for our good. The authority of His word goes forth for the fulfillment of its purpose, and this purpose was given to us the day we were born.
Today, I encourage you to take it slow. Give yourself grace in the midst of your hurried pace. Grant yourself a bit of margin in your every day. In what areas is God calling you to embrace this unhurried pace? What would a season of slow look and feel like to you?
Today I spent time with some lovely ladies who have a passion to write and share their words with the world. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful, supportive community, yet I realize many cannot say the same. I know that friendships can be hard and the older we get, the harder it seems we're able to find those authentic relationships. But God calls us to fellowship because He knows we need one another as we move through life with all its ups and downs.
Today is full of grace, so I want you to take hold of it and don’t let it go. It’s that kindness that exudes from someone and you wonder where they got it. Well, they got it from someone like you who gave it liberally. They were in a place to receive it and then give it right back out again. So, today, I ask you to receive the grace someone wants to give. You don’t have to earn it, it’s just given. It’s from the heart of someone that just wants to be compassionate and benevolent. You can also show grace to another, because I can tell you from experience, we all need it at times, I know I do.
Today, I encourage you to hope. Hope for a future you have imagined for years, or just recently began to discover. Hope for relationships or opportunities that need a sprinkle of momentum. Hope in the goodness of people and hope that in the end, it’s all going to be alright. I encourage you as you’re integrating the past few weeks of space, pause, and creativity, to add this to the list because it’s all working together as you imagine it would. The joyful hope and expectation may spill over onto others or even situations that may have seemed hopeless. It may create motivation that was not there before, it may shift your perspective, and provide a more positive outlook. It’s been quite a journey for so many, however even in the midst of it, some have never lost hope. There is nothing wrong if you haven’t experienced this hope or need a little more encouragement to get there. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and take things moment by moment, and give yourself permission to see the glimmer of hope that awaits you.
Another day, another opportunity to create. I give you permission today to create something that provides a sense of nurturing to yourself. Creativity can take on many forms: writing, singing, knitting, painting, gardening… I invite you into a creative space. During the pandemic as many were staying home for one reason or another, I decided to start gardening. I ordered seeds and plants and gloves and a shovel and went to work. I didn’t have a plan other than getting outside, feeling the sun on my face and creating a different environment. It may not have looked like the landscapes you see in the magazines, but I think I did ok – it was what I needed to do for myself.
