"For I know the plans I have for you...."

     I have felt so dry lately.  Not unhappy or anything, just like I needed to see God.  Need to find true purpose.  We were beginning to wonder if we really heard God when he told us to move to Spartanburg.  They just closed 3 of Tony's stores this week and his job, for the first time EVER, seemed uncertain. Well, God always seems to show up at the perfect time!!  Of course it's never when WE want Him to show Himself, but as always His perfect time.

     Today in church we started a new sermon series called "Heroes."  I was not that enthused.  But God revealed Himself to me in a mighty way through the message.  You see, I have always struggled with my "purpose."  I have been through so many trials and always knew it had to be for a reason, but what, exactly?  I am in school, as you all know, majoring in Special Education with a concentration on Learning and Emotional disabilities.  Well, emotional disability is just a nice term for "the bad kids."  These are the kids who were not born with a disability but have been a victim to their own personal circumstances.  They have been abused, neglected, and scarred, and some tossed away.  I really don't know if I am cut out to work with this type of child.  I'm way too mean!! lol

     But as I watched a short video clip and heard the message about "Godly Heroes", I was stirred in my spirit.  I knew that this was a call from God and no coincidence that I chose this career path.  It was chosen FOR me!  Only by the grace of God did I not become a statistic.  And this is why I have been through so much.

     As it turns out, Tony, the kids, and I went to the monthly prayer service tonight for the very first time.  There were only a couple dozen people there and it was your typical prayer service with a little praise and worship and then some prayer time for some specific issues.  Still in my nice little comfort zone.  UNTIL......our pastor asked our family, along with another family, to come to the front to be prayed for.  We were to stand in as a representative of all the families with children in our church.  What a responsibility!

      It was a beautiful prayer and man I felt stirred up!!  God is moving mightily!  After the service, a man whom we do not know, came up to me and seemed a little uncomfortable.  He said he had a word from God and he didn't know how to say it other than just to say it!  This is what he said, filled with emotion:     "Don't continue to doubt what God has planned for your son.  Doubt has continued to creep in and when it does you need to push it out of your mind.  God has a plan for his life.  God will do more through him that you could ever have imagined.  Don't doubt what God has planned for your son."

Oh.......my........Goodness!!!!  Can you believe that?  I could only weep!!!  I finally got out the question "do you know Austin?"  I thought maybe this man worked with the youth group and knew of Austin's disability.  He said he did not but only knew what God wanted him to say to us.  I couldn't even begin to tell him our story! 

    I continued to weep!  You see, this is not the first time Austin has had a word spoken over his life!!  Most of you know how the Enemy has tried, since before he was even born, to take him out of this world!  I feel so unworthy to have been trusted with such a gift!  But I will continue to treasure the gift!  I will not doubt!

     In 25 days Austin will celebrate his 13th birthday!  I WILL BE THE MOTHER OF A TEENAGER!!!!  But Austin, the feeble little 1 pound 10 ounce preemie, who was not supposed to live will be 13.  The one the Dr said "was not even a baby yet", had a 10% chance of survival, and had a 75% chance (if he did somehow make it) to be blind, deaf, mentally retarded, have severe cerebral palsy, never walk, and never be in a normal classroom........is going to be 13!!  What a miracle he is and what a testimony he has!!  His minor issues are NOTHING we can't handle!!  Still, to this day, 24 weeks is usually considered the earliest gestational age for viability.  This was 13 years ago!

     God is Good!!!  All the time!  I will wrap this up by saying that no matter what you're facing or doubting...God is able!  He will show up when you need Him the most!  He has plans for you!  Don't doubt God's purpose for your life!!  You are here for a reason!  He says so in His word!!
"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." Jer 29:11

DON'T DOUBT!!!!!!