Guest Blog: Bethany from Striving to Be Bold

A month ago, I asked Bethany over at Striving To Be Bold to write a guest post for me. What a great encouragement to other young, single women whose plan for themselves hasn't worked out their way. Bethany has a great blog, you should definitely check it out. 

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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.”

                                                                                     

When I was a young teen (and the above verse was my all-time favorite) I had a heart-to-heart discussion with one of my aunts. She asked me what I planned to do with my life as an adult.

“I’m going to be a stay at home mom,” was my answer. When she asked me point blank what I planned to do if I didn’t find a husband at a young age, I had no answer—just looked at her like she was from another planet. THAT was never going to happen, not to me!! I had a plan!

Fast forward at least ten years—the verse above is still very meaningful to me, but in a different way. My plan, the one that included some college, dating and a wedding and a multitude of children in quick succession, didn’t work. I will be 27 next month,an age when I figured I’d have two or three little ones running around. Instead, I’ve been to many weddings and in a few, but none of them mine. I’ve cared for dozens of children for weeks, months, years on end—but none of them mine.

God’s plan—now that worked out! I fell into a teaching job I loved for three years, gaining necessary experience and wonderful co-workers who are still close friends. I’ve had the ability to travel with younger siblings multiple times a year, something that would have been much more challenging- if not impossible- had my plan worked out. I’ve been able to find a role in my city, places I love and new friends. 

Do I still long to be a mom, as I told my aunt years ago? Absolutely, yes. So far, God’s answer to that longing has been a resounding “not now”—not “no, not at all”—and to me, that is an important distinction. He hears me; he hears my prayers and longings.

He has a plan. Sometimes, His plan matches up with our thoughts on where life should be headed. Sometimes, it does not. As we begin a new year, a fresh start in 2012, I glance to the verse above once more. Especially this time of year, I look forward to new challenges, new experiences and the fulfillment of God’s plan for me in 2012—not my plan for me!