Thankful Thursday

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'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11

Oh, how thankful I am the Lord has a plan for me. He has a plan that gives me a future. A plan that gives me hope.

I haven't mentioned it too much lately, but in the spring and early summer I wrote several posts regarding difficult situations I was facing at work. I mentioned more than once that I felt God leading in a different direction but didn't yet know what direction. However, I have always been so thankful that I could trust in this verse. Always knowing that even if God had not yet revealed the plan to me that I could trust it would be what was best for me. And that it would be a plan full of future and always full of hope.

Over the last few months God has started to slowly reveal His plan and is changing my heart and my desires in the process. I have ALWAYS been a "career gal". Always wanting to be in the business world. We've been lucky that I've worked in situations and with people that allowed me to do this but also keep my family a priority. We've been able to balance the work and the family. (And, just as a sidenote... as much as I've always been that "career gal", if I would not have been able to balance the work and the family then the work would've been ditched quickly.)

The last couple of years have found me more and more unsettled in my career and have put before me more and more challenges that did make it difficult to maintain the work and family balance. As I became more unsettled I was also placed in some very difficult situations and saw some of my closest friends and co-workers laid off and without a job. I've been saddened and struggled with life in the corporate world.

Over the last few months God has placed an opportunity in front of hubby and I that excites me to no end. It would give me flexibility in my schedule and even more time with my family but would also allow me to maintain some of my "career gal" desires and allow me to do something else that I have always wanted to ... own and operate my own business. It feels "right". It feels blessed by God.

The downside to it all is that until we begin making a profit I am working my full time job and then working on this new business after I put the kids to bed at night. And, no... it's not alot of fun! :) However, it is the direction God is leading and I know because of that it is for good. I have a peace about it all. It will land us in a good place in the months to come. And, one thing I've had to remind myself on many of these late nights is that God never promised His road would be easy. He did, however, promise to be right beside us thru it all. I can assure you.... He has been with us thru it all so far.... and I know He will continue to be with us thru it in the months to come.

Thank you, Lord, for this promise you gave to us thru Jeremiah. A promise that we can ALWAYS count on. A promise that YOUR plan is always the BEST plan!






For more Thankful Thursday visit Iris at Grace Alone...!




35 Thoughts Shared:

Denise said...

God is so good to us.

Cheryl said...

Thanks for sharing that scripture. It is a great reminder to me that HE told me the first of this year. God is so good. Happy Thankful Thursday - Great Post Melanie! God Bless You~

Addicted to Beadz said...

Melanie,

I'm just waiting for you to divulge your new business! I don't know why. Maybe because I left corporate world and started MLS about 10 years ago. I worked almost a full year full time, then part time. Not fun, but you have to.

I will pray that you new business takes off quickly!

Blessings!
Cheryl

Unknown said...

Beautiful words of encouragment!

Thanking God He is using you to bless each of us through your experiences and trials!

Have a blessed day Melanie!
Love,
Jill

Felicity said...

How fantastic that God showed you his path! I pray each day that he offers me guidance to get me on the path he wants me on. Have a fantastic week.

Unknown said...

Wow, Melanie,

This is just exciting news. I pray that you are in the very palm or God's hand and that Starbucks is just around the corner.

Love you girl. Hugs, Lynn

Svr said...

You have a lot on your plate but the Lord will pull you through!

eph2810 said...

Wow, Melanie - that is so neat. I know that if you have peace about the whole thing, God is certainly in it! What a great thing to share - stepping out in faith :)

Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us.

Be blessed today and always...

PS: The corporate world gets harder and harder to deal with...I know from experience...

Erica said...

That is awesome. And you are right...He didn't promise it would be easy. He will reward your late nights and hard work. We have some of that going on in our lives as well. I can't wait to share.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it a glorious feeling to take that leap of faith and go for it when the Lord gives us an opportunity? Even when it means extra work or longer hours it's so FREEING!
I found you through Thankful Thursday and I love your blog. God bless you and may He amply reward you in your efforts to do His will.

Erica said...

On a different note, I just figured out how to make my blog title what I want it to be and still use the cute topper Kristi made me. If you can please "unsubscribe" and then "resubscribe" to my blog, it will now show up as "Amazing Adventures Await" instead of "."
I was so confused for a while, but I figured it out! Thanks, friend for reading!

Debra Kaye said...

Melanie,

What a beautiful truth you have shared here. It's not always easy...but the peace that comes when God is right beside us and leading us gives us the surety to continue.

God bless your efforts and I'll pray for you as He is enlarging your territory my sweet sister.

Blessings to you this TT.

Tonya said...

Melanie,

I'm SO THANKFUL for what GOD is doing in your life! I'm with you, FAMILY FIRST, and that is SECOND ONLY to GOD! (What a blessing that your priorities are in order)

So, your new business.. is it anything your bloggy buddies could help out on? (I mean, stuff we can order from you?) I'm sure you'll share what you can when the time is right.. just know that we're behind you! =-)

Have a GREAT weekend!
LOVE,
Tonya

LAURIE said...

Great scripture you shared with us today and thank you for sharing your grateful heart with us and th exciting things that God is doing in your life! I too, started my own business four years ago and the beginning stages were scary but God was in it all from the very beginning and He continues to bless my business beyond measure. There is joy and peace in knowing that you are following where God is leading. Be blessed. -Laurie

Laurie Ann said...

Melanie, I'm so happy that you've heard and are obedient to God's plans for your life! What a wonderful thing to be thankful for. What kind of business are you going into? This is exciting stuff! Inquiring minds want to know! What a great post for today! I'm praying for you during the time of transition... *Hugs*

Kristi said...

I love your honesty and your complete trust in the One who is so trustworthy! Stepping out in faith is scarry but courage is the ability to do what God calls us to do. May God continue to bless you with boldness to carry out what He is calling you to do and may He be so glorified in the process. I can't wait to read more about how He is working. Blessings to you and your sweet family!

Unknown said...

Blessings!

Marsha said...

I'll be praying for you and this new venture. I'll also be praying the Lord guards your time.

Have a blessed TT!

Anonymous said...

God is always good to us always hear us when we need it. Thanks for sharing Melanie...

Mine is here

Susie said...

Melanie, how exciting! You can do it and I know God will give you the strength. Blessings my friend!

Susan said...

Wow Melanie,

This sounds really exciting! I'm so happy for you.

Praying all things fall into place for you.

Go girlfriend!!

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

Great post! Happy Thankful Thursday!

http://crazyadventuresinparenting.blogspot.com/2008/10/thankful-thursday-29-days-of-giving.html

bp said...

Praise God for his perfect timing in this and His peace for you.

Front Porch Legacy said...

Thanks for sharing your GOOD news! I pray (and I'm certain) that God will continue to carry you down the road to the plans He has for you.

Michele Williams said...

Great Thankful post. All in God's timing. I wonder what your business is?
Blessings

Joan said...

Sounds Exciting.

May God direct you and bless you.

Tricia said...

Hey Melanie
That is exciting! How wonderful to begin seeing God's plans for you come to fruition... may He continue to pour out His blessings on you and your family!

Blessings!

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

Thanks for sharing this season and change in your life. It is wonderful when you can start to see how the Lord is working things out.

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen said...

You've really left us guessing about this new venture. . . .

Isaiah 26:3: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.

Beth K. Vogt said...

Enjoyed reading this post and hearing echoes of your trust in God.
Beth@TheAccidentalPharisee

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that you have peace about your future career and know that where you are going is part of God's plan for you. What a blessing! Please keep us all updated on how things go.

Leaon Mary said...

Okay Melanie,
I LOVE cliffhangers, but.... when do we get to find out your new business! heehee
Blessings to you my friend!
Go girl IN CHRIST JESUS! WHOOhOoOO
Lea
<*)))><

Catherine said...

Thanks for the reminder. God bless your new business - sounds like you'll be busy for a while!!

Blessings,
Catherine

Eyeglasses & Endzones said...

Don't you just LOVE when something feels annointed by God....it feels so much more peaceful than something you come to a conclusion on your own...I appreciate your comments on my blog and I have added you to my favorite bloggers....God Bless YOU!!!
Tarah

Anonymous said...

I switched teaching jobs last year, I also went from working part-time to full time. And it was a whole new type of classroom, I was so overwhelmed at first, but NOW to see God's wisdom and hand in all of it. And I am at a good place, where God wants me to be. :) So hang in there Melanie.