Connecting with Community

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Jeremiah 29:11



So I’m struggling to get out of bed this morning and somehow I defeat my blankets. I quickly get ready for my day. I head out the door and the world smiles at me with many white sparkling hellos. The snow glistens as it silently sits on the ground. The crisp morning breeze welcomes me as I head to my car. I smile inside knowing I will have the pleasure of dropping my kids off at school. I love nothing more than building my kids up right before they set out to face the world. I speak words of encouragement and give them the tools they will need in order to conquer the day before them. My son receives his “I love you, you rock and God bless you speech”. He smiles and giggles a little before he heads towards the door. My heart is happy and I sit proudly as I have equipped him with confidence in all he dreams of.



My daughter, well she is a little different I guess everyone at the age of 17 is a little different. I take her to her morning workout, which usually consist of about 6 miles. That alone should speak confidence. She has struggled with confidence this past semester and I have struggled in feeding her confidence. It seems so much more challenging than it used to be when she was 10. We’ve talked about her greatness and all her God given talent. Sometimes she speaks a little unsure of her abilities. She doubts her dreams and hesitates to speak of all she wishes to accomplish. One day last week, while I worked on building her up she said “mom it’s just not my time”.



I’ve thought about that for a little bit and I am going to have to call bull on that. Please excuse my language but I believe that our young people need mentors and advocates that allow them avenues in which to dream. They need people around them that speak words of encouragement. They need people around them telling them “yes regardless of the circumstances that engulf you it is possible to go to college”. Yes regardless of what you see before you it is possible to win. Yes regardless of the situation you are an over comer. Remember we "walk by faith and not by sight". They sure don’t need people convincing them that “it is not their time”. There is enough discouragement and unkind words spoken to these kids they sure don’t need more. Who are you and who am I to think that we have the right to take someone’s dreams?



Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I’m just saying….



I tell Christian remember you are a child of the most high God. That means its always your time. She gets out of the car with all her gear and I whisper “I love you!”, then I ask “When is it your time?” She replies, “All the time”.

Not everyone has the luxury of having their momma feed them encouragement. That is why God made you!



My day continues and Jeremiah 29:11 is still with me. Today I met a baby raising babies, she has an 18 month old and a 4 month old. She has not completed her education and struggles with just having her basic needs met. When is it her time? I was created to encourage so I do. I add to her rather than take from her. I am reminded that Jeremiah 29:11 applies to her too. Her dream is to be a nurse, dare I take that from her because some may think “it is not her time”.



At the office I speak with a momma raising a one and a half year old. She has placed her new born up for adoption in hopes of allowing him a better way of life. She struggles to pay rent and to put food on the table yet she still dreams of an education. It will be such a battle for her to succeed. Would it be easier if I just told her that it may just not be her time? Or does Jeremiah 29:11 apply to her too?



Finally I work with a 19 year old that is about to be homeless. She is alone as she has aged out of foster care. What will become of her? What if we got a clue and added value rather than removed it. She is frustrated that she cannot get help because she is not good at working the system. Everything is working against her and if we truly want her to succeed we are going to have to make a way for her to continue dreaming. We have to begin telling her that it is her time. Regardless of what she looks like and where she lives Jeremiah 29:11 applies to her too.



I don’t know, I am just a simple person and I don’t know as much as some but I am certain that the verses below apply to all people. Imagine how we would impact this world if we actually believed the following.



Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Isaiah 44:24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;



Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.