This is my story.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:11-13

As I've grown up, gotten married, and moved to the city, I look back and am overcome by the Lord's faithfulness to me. Through times of transition and need He's always shown up. Always. I saw Him first when I was about 15 years old. I remember so clearly walking into the living room and noticing a new card on the fireplace mantle. As I read through it, learning for the first time of my Dad's sobriety, I was confused. By this time in my life it seemed impossible that the alcoholism that defined every part of my reality could be defeated. I spent that whole night wrestling with the idea that everything had changed. This wasn't supposed to happen. How could it?

The only way I could make sense of it was through something very simple. My grandmother prayed for us. I knew that because she told me she did. When she watched us while my mom went to work she prayed some more. And when my dad came home from work she would say goodbye through the stairwell railings and tell him that she prayed for him. She prayed boldly and the Lord answered.

This day changed my life.

Just as He promises in Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord has plans for good in our lives. He took ugly circumstances and used them to give a hopeless and unworthy girl new life.

How has the Lord worked for good in your life?

This isn't the only time the Lord has interceded in my circumstances in a way that felt miraculous. Sometimes it doesn't feel miraculous as He guides my steps. Regardless, when you feel defeated, discouraged, hopeless, burdened or all of the above be encouraged because our prayers don't drift vainly up into nothingness. The Lord hears us! And He's relentlessly pursuing us, loving us and working for good in our lives.