Nice & Wavy
Well-Known Member
"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 a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Dani could feel the tears filling her eyes when she ran her finger down the list one more time. Her name wasn’t there, she didn’t make cheerleading. She stomped back to her car and drove home. She walked in the house and told her mom the bad news. Mrs. Johnson put her hand on Dani’s shoulder, “It’s okay, Dani, this means that God has something bigger planned for you.” Dani shrugged her mom’s hand off her shoulder and rolled her eyes. Dani ran up the stairs into her room, and plopped on her bed. “God, why didn’t I make cheerleading? I tried so hard and it’s my senior year,” Dani prayed. “I really wanted this.”
The next Monday at school, Dani watched as the girls who made the cheerleading squad laughed and talked about what a great cheerleading year this would be. She turned her chair away from the giggling group and then she noticed a flyer. The school had a program for girls who had problems at home. They were looking for someone to lead their Bible study. Dani felt something inside her telling her to check it out after school. She tried to shake the feeling and get back to being angry about cheerleading, but she could not get the thought out of her head. After school, Dani went to the room listed on the flyer that she had seen during lunch and peeked in the door. “I’m sorry girls, but if we can’t find a leader, we can’t do the Bible study,” said the principal. Dani felt a tug at her heart as she watched the girls sink sadly into their seats. “Okay Lord - I get it,” and she pushed open the door and went inside.
Dani lead the girls Bible study three days a week. She cared about these girls and the problems they were having at home. She was able to help heal their broken hearts and bring them closer to God. If Dani had made the cheerleading squad, she would have missed out on the life-changing experience that God had planned for her all along.
Do you ever find yourself saying, “I really want this?” I say it all the time but I don’t always get what I want. Sometimes God has something bigger planned for us - something to work for His glory. We should put our wants aside and listen to what He has in store for us. You never know whose life it could change.
Dear Lord, thank You for the gifts you have given me. I pray that you would help me find the right way to use them. Please give me ears to hear exactly what you have planned for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
