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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end. You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11 WEB

My Dad was a lifelong carpenter and I used to help him build custom homes. Today I wish that I had paid more attention. When Dad agreed to build a house, his first step was to go over the plans. How big will it be? How many floors? Where will the stairs go? How many windows will it have and where are they located? Details like these need to be known ahead of time and planned out. There would need to be an electrical outlet for the stove in the kitchen, and a water line for the shower in the bathroom.

We began with a solid foundation, and a big stack of lumber. The house was built a piece at a time, and everything had to follow a certain order. The roof could not come before the foundation, nor the wiring before a wall. The foundation was laid, then the floor, the walls, and the roof. The floor coverings should be installed last. The more the pieces came together, the more it looked like a house.

People chose different colors. We built some houses that were gray, while others were yellow. As a young helper who knew nothing, I would often overlook some important detail and Dad would have to step in and correct it. In the end when it was completed, all the pieces formed a beautiful home, custom built for the owners, and they loved it.

God has laid out plans for our lives, and they are amazing. Plans to prosper us, to give us hope and a future, a good ending. No two of us are alike, so God takes each of us down our own path and at our own pace. As we walk with Him daily and follow the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit, our lives will come together and form something that will be beautiful to us.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people love attending events and parties, but if you call and cancel your dinner plans with us, then we will smile and silently thank God. Some people love to work all day in a flower garden, but not me. I love technology and gadgets. It is part of my gift set, and God built me like this for a purpose. For you to be happy, it is very important to be yourself like God intended. Your heaven may be my hell. God knows this and He builds each of our lives to fit our personality. We can still both love God, and just agree to disagree about our favorite color.

The enemy also has plans for us, which are pretty much the opposite: to steal, to kill, and destroy your life and that of your families. To divide and conquer. We all have to choose between the good and the bad, just like Adam and Eve. No one is exempt. Sure there is forgiveness, but you are always given a chance to not sin in the first place. God always provides a way out.

'No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it' (1 Corinthians 10:13).

If you choose Jesus, and follow Him wholeheartedly, you will be happy with your life in the end. You may or may not die rich and famous, but your life will be full and you will be happy with the way that your life turned out. It will fit you, because God does have plans for you. If you just work with Him a little each day to keep your life on course and allow Him to correct you, then everything is going to be alright. Good things often take time, but rest assured that everything is right on schedule.

Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You for all that You are doing in my life. Please build me up Lord and craft me into the very best version of myself. Share Your wisdom with me and help me to see the big picture. I choose You today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!

Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress

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