Jeremiah 1:5 says - "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee..."
Isn't it comforting to know Heavenly Father knew us before all of this? He knew our character, our personality, how we felt. He KNEW us.
This year has been quite the whirlwind for me. I moved out of my cute apartment back in with my parents to save for a house (something that was quite impossible to do while living in the middle of Dallas). I worked with a boss who was nothing more than a bully. I went on vacation one week to come back and be told I was moving to a different department because of said boss. This was so hard to hear. I felt like I had done something wrong in reporting her behavior. I felt that I was leaving the volunteers, who in the past year I had given my all to, behind and defenseless. I felt cheated that I had to move when absolutely nothing was happening to the bully.
But, before I went into the meeting where I was told I would be moving, I said a prayer. I had had an eerie feeling following me the past couple of days. I prayed for comfort and that whatever was supposed to happen would happen.
He knows me. He knew I would have a difficult time with this. He made sure I was moved after a wonderful, relaxing vacation up to Washington and not on a super stressful day at work. He made sure I was comforted before the meeting. Then, he gave me time to work through my confusion. He waited for me to reach back out to Him. When I did (it took me much longer than it should have), He was there to show me why I needed to be where I was.
I am now in the Special Events department. I plan and coordinate events, I work with community groups coming in for events as well as coming in for patient visits, I work with Child Life, I work with the volunteers who sign up for events, and I manage the Gift Shop.
All of my experience over the years has come to this moment. I am able to reach out to my contacts, I am able to bring new contacts in or re-connect with others I had worked with in the past. I can use my Child Life knowledge in planning appropriate activities and events without stepping on toes. I still get to interact with my volunteers and be there for them just in a different setting.
I never imagined... a Political Science major would turn to Family Life major (Social Work) while working with leadership groups on campus planning events would turn to Child Life would turn to Volunteer Management would turn to this.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."
Each and every day my new director tells me I am meant to be here. I have different skills than the others. I have different knowledge (even of this hospital that I am still fairly new to). She tells me how much they needed me. She tells me what a great fit I am. It is so odd to hear after the past year that I have had where nothing I did was right and I was clearly not wanted or approved of.
I am so thankful that I have such a loving Father in Heaven to watch out for me. To make plans for me (even though sometimes I fight them or don't understand them at first). I am thankful He is there for my welfare and never to do me harm. I am thankful He is there to give me a future with HOPE.
