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"<p fr-original-style=\"\" style=\"background-repeat: no-repeat; padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; box-sizing: inherit;\">July 29, 2021The Good Ole DaysWendy SpeakeToday’s Truth“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 hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).Friend to FriendMost everyone experiences hard seasons during their life. Sometimes, painful present realities make it difficult to see past the cloud-cover to brighter days. I’ve had a handful of hopeless times over the years. As a matter of fact, our family is just coming out of one such season right now. Three months ago, our family moved from California to Texas. With three teenagers in tow, it seemed like a crazy time to transition, but we were stuck in some unhealthy patterns and needed a radical refresh. While there were other issues in the mix, from politics and continued school closures to the cost of living, the main reason for our relocation was to give our family a do-over. Nothing gives us the courage to start over quite like this promise in Jeremiah 29:11.While “hope and a future” seemed elusive during 2020, we believed God had something special for our little crew collectively, and for each one of us individually. Sometimes God’s future hope for us is right where we already are, and it takes faith and wisdom to stay put. But other times the future God hopes for us requires a change. That’s where we found ourselves at the start of 2021.After our daring decision was made, I started using a new phrase with my husband and kids: “The Good Ole Days” are still to come! Since we have had many seasons of joy, throughout our children’s growing up years, this idea that the best of our memory-making was before us, filled our hearts with anticipation. We were eager to settle in and start making this future promise a present reality.As we packed up our California home, I hollered it down the hallway: “The Good Ole Days are still to come.”As we said goodbye to their lifelong friends: “The Good Ole Days are still to come.As we went for one last drive along the coast: “The Good Ole Days are still to come.”As we visited our favorite local restaurants, savoring familiar flavors: “The Good Ole Days are still to come.”And, finally, as we drove away, I said it again: “The Good Ole Days are still to come.”A decade ago, when all our children were still very young, I would tuck them into bed speaking a few of my favorite Scriptures over their sleepy heads, until those passages became as familiar to their ears as lullabies. Today’s verse was one of those nightly blessings.I’d insert their names and sing the promise softly, over and over, night after night. I imagine that a few of you reading this today could use the loving touch of a mother, tucking you into bed, reminding you that God is faithful and has good plans for you. Whether you can catch a glimpse of your hope-filled tomorrows or feel absolutely in the dark, God is kind and can be trusted, He hasn’t left you alone in your challenging seasons.If you are struggling with hopelessness, I pray that you discover hope. God has good and not evil in store for you; today, tomorrow, and the next day. Sometimes it takes a dramatic shift in your life to follow Him into the future He has planned, but other times it’s a heart shift — a shift in your thinking, or a shift in your behavior that will lead to the next season.While not everything has gone smoothly in this life transition we’re in (I caught Covid while we were all staying together in one little hotel room during our move) still the peace of Christ, the inner-calm-of-Christ, guarded our hearts and minds.I don't know what God has for us all in the years to come, but I trust that there is hope to be had in our future and yours, as we follow God, believing, “The Good Ole Days” are still to come!Let’s PrayDear Lord, I believe that You know the plans You have for me. I believe that Your intention is to prosper me and not to harm me, as You lead me into a future bright with hope. Today, right this moment, I am choosing to trust You completely. Whether I can catch a glimpse of this future goodness or not, I am believing that with You, “The Good Ole Days are still to come.”In Jesus' Name, Amen.Now It’s Your TurnAre you struggling to trust that God is good or has good for you?What practical steps forward can you make to join God in His good plans for you today?More from the GirlfriendsWendy Speake is author of The 40 Day Social Media Fast. Sometimes stepping back from the online chatter allows us to hear His voice as He leads us. Find out more at 40daysocialmediafast.com© 2021 by Wendy Speake. All rights reserved.<strong fr-original-style=\"\" style=\"background-repeat: no-repeat; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-weight: 700; box-sizing: inherit;\"><a data-saferedirecturl=\"https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://girlfriendsingod.com/seeking-god&source=gmail&ust=1478631506685000&usg=AFQjCNE-ZMwETuPQLumbteHz3xj4DvASIw\" fr-original-style=\"\" href=\"http://girlfriendsingod.com/seeking-god\" style=\"background-repeat: no-repeat; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; background-color: transparent; cursor: pointer; user-select: auto; color: rgb(33, 150, 243); box-sizing: inherit;\" target=\"_blank\">Seeking God?<br fr-original-style=\"\" style=\"background-repeat: no-repeat; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; box-sizing: inherit;\"><a data-saferedirecturl=\"https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/&source=gmail&ust=1478631506685000&usg=AFQjCNFFIqhoHGr31G_j5sQx-kUGLaUKEw\" fr-original-style=\"\" href=\"http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/\" style=\"background-repeat: no-repeat; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; background-color: transparent; cursor: pointer; user-select: auto; color: rgb(33, 150, 243); box-sizing: inherit;\" target=\"_blank\"><strong fr-original-style=\"\" style=\"background-repeat: no-repeat; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-weight: 700; box-sizing: inherit;\">GirlfriendsInGod.com"
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