God's Perfect Plan

The last 2 days spent at the Phoenix Launch retreat have been hard, but so helpful!  I can't remember the last time we sat down and talked all about ourselves as individuals, as a couple, as a family, and our time in ministry so far.  While I have no answers of what recommendation Launch will give us, I am confident that God continues to teach me something at each step of the process.

As I thought on all that we talked about, I realized this was a much needed time of reflection. Reflection on how Luke and I were created each as individuals and how God brought us together.  We reflected on big details and little details in our lives and our short 14 years together.  I had to laugh when the first question they asked was how long we have been married, because we looked "young."  We got to talk about our years at Terrace Heights Baptist Church and the invaluable ministry experience we have because of their willingness to bring on the "young" pastor. We reflected on the more recent events in 2014 that have confirmed the call that God has placed on our lives to pursue church planting in Tucson. Even thinking about how great it was that Luke loves to bird watch....because if he didn't love birds, I'm not sure we would have ever found Tucson in 2009.  There were many reminders that God has a perfect plan and purpose in each and everything He has created in each of us and each situation He brings us to.

One of the things that was said during a session was about living with purpose and passion all the years God gives us.  It went something like "He died at 35, but was buried at 85."  Sad to think of how many people stop living out their lives with purpose and passion at a young age, spending years just existing and not living.

I am grateful I had the opportunity to stop and think about where we are in life.  I know God has a perfect plan and purpose for our family, for Luke, for me, for our kids, and for everyone He created. I want to remember and remind others not to doubt God's perfect plan, even when it goes against everything we thought would happen in our lives.  As we continue to trust God, He will reveal His plan and bring each of us to the place we are meant to be.

Ephesians 2:10 New International Version (NIV)
    "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."