I'm thinking about Jeremiah 29:11 today.

All my life I felt created to be a wife and mother.

When a marriage grows that’s amazing. When children grow it’s amazing and , well, scary and a little bit lonely. Most of us have heard this verse. I have clung to this verse so many times in my life. When I longed for children, when I was jobless, when I was a single mom and now… that I’m a grandma???

You see, God called Randy and I back to Texas, without a doubt. He then called me to River Valley after a hiatus in ministry. I have never felt more restored and redeemed than the moment I first laid eyes on the entire WING of a church. This wing was to be for children and their spiritual upbringing.

On June 30, my heart exploded with joy as my grandson, Theo Shepherd, was born to my first-born son. To hold him in my arms made every part of my grand-mamma heart complete. It was hard to leave Kansas (10 hours away from our home). All I could do was cling to this verse once again as I pulled out of the drive way.

It seems like a beginning of life verse. As I prayed it for Theo, I also, once again, prayed it for myself. I knew in my heart God has called us here, to River Valley, so far away from Theo. We are glad and honored to stay. I try not to question the distance. I wonder why I am so fulfilled and so far away from the things I know in my heart I was created to be.

God knows and it’s all in his perfect plan for my life. Believe me, I’ve gone off the rails a couple of times! I’m not only created to be a wife, mother, and GiGi. I’m also honored to be created to minister to children, specifically at River Valley. I need to remember this. I need to honor this and cling to the knowledge that He has a plan.

What are you created to be? What part of Jeremiah 29:11 are you struggling with or clinging to? Just when you think your “plans” have been created, God may lead you down a whole new “plan”.

My marriage has grown here in Bastrop. My children have grown in Kansas. I’m just thankful for opportunities to watch my grandson grow and know I am following a plan that is created by the Lord. I pray that you are too.