I woke up around 2:00 in the morning thinking about my first love, Norman. My family was stationed by

the Navy in Kingsville, Texas. I was eight. He was a handsome young man although a bit of a pest, but my

young heart loved him. We were going to be married! A year later, my dad was transferred to San Diego

California. Goodbye Norman.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to

give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

I love that Jehovah Rohi (the Lord is my Shepherd) has thoughts and plans for me. I realize now that the

journey of planning that I began at age eight really set the stage for the plans of my life. When I was

young, I had what I imagine are normal plans: plans to go to college, start my career, fall in love, get

married and have children. Later, I made more strategic plans than I dreamed. Plans born from

responsibilities that promoted growth, success, and security. There have been times in my life too

where my dreams were silenced by the trials of life through great tragedy, loss, and grief.

I became a Christian at age eleven. I have been praying for God's plans to be revealed my whole life.

However, many of the plans that developed have mostly been my plans, ideally supported by Him.

Sometimes while waiting on a plan, you can become convinced that your plan is His plan. Waiting for

Jehovah Jireh’s (the Lord provides) plan takes patience and a truly seeking heart.

You might think, what is the point of having a good head on your shoulders, being intelligent and

sensible if you don’t make good use of it? I don’t think God wants us not to be planners. I just think

because He is so much greater than us, why wouldn’t we seek His plan? We are talking about the

Creator of the universe here. He knows how many hairs I have on my head! He can help me every step

of the way toward my future.

Despite good, bad, or ugly planning, my life has been amazing; and I have seen the evidence of God in it

literally everywhere, every day. The moral of this story is, young or old it is never too late to take a

pause on your planning and ask God to reveal the thoughts that He thinks of you! Move toward the life

that He plans for you in 2024! You won’t regret it!

By Kimberly Pope