“For I know the plans I have for you” – this is the LORD’s declaration – “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 CSB

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Our Lord has plans for us, good plans. We are sometimes impatient and even doubtful, but we continue on because He has promised us hope and a future.

I began my blog about 5 years ago. I had attended a Christian writers conference and was encouraged and inspired to write for the Lord. I also write children’s picture books. But still have not been published. I have to admit, I was getting discouraged and spent less time writing. I was beginning to question my path.

However, a friend I had met last year at the Maranatha Christian Writers Conference invited me to come again this year. I had not planned to but after much prayer and thought and encouragement from my husband, I decided to go. And I’m glad I did! Thanks for the invite, Lori!

I got all my stories in order; proofreading, editing, and tweaking them one last time. I wrote and submitted a devotion for an anthology with the theme, Jesus is our anchor, which would be published by one of the publishers represented at the conference. I packed up and flew to Michigan.

It was a wonderful conference with devotions, workshops, general sessions, and one-on-one meetings with authors, publishers, agents, and other professionals in the writing industry. I was feeling hopeful as I continued to wait on the Lord.

Then, my devotion was chosen to be included in the anthology! So, the Lord’s plans for me have taken the next step; I will be able to say, “I’m a published author!” Not just a writer, but an author.

And the first thing, well, the second thing after thanking and praising my Lord, is to thank each and every one of you for your support and encouragement, your kind comments and inspiration. You are my blogging family and part of my future and my hope.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we all try to realize the plans our Lord has for us for a future and a hope.

Blessings as God’s plans unfold with a future and hope!