When I was in 5th grade, I loved playing softball at recess. I wanted to be the pitcher, so I brought the bat and ball we needed to play. My only rule was my ball, so I got to pitch. It was always so much fun! That is until the day one boy got mad and told his friend he was going to hit me square in the face.
He didn’t hit me squarely, but he hit the right side of my face, knocking me out as well as my tooth. That moment changed everything about softball for me. I was too afraid to pitch after that, so I rarely played anymore.
Sometimes life throws us a curve ball that sends us reeling. Mine came last week when my position was eliminated from the company I served. Immediately, my heart was broken, and I thought my identity was lost.
My heart was broken, and I thought my identity was lost.
This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:10-1
Israel was thrown a curve ball when they were exiled to Babylon. I’m sure they were reeling with heartbreak after they were taken from their homes from Judah to Jerusalem. Their refuge was Jerusalem, but it was no longer available to them.
But God has not forgotten His covenant with His people. He will fulfill the promise He made. He knew what was coming, and he had a plan. A plan that gave them hope and purpose.
Friends, when life throws those curveballs, God isn't surprised. He has a plan for you, to get you through it, and to get you past it.
As I rested in a hopeless place these past few days, I borrowed hope from my husband and my friends. My husband reminded me to breathe as I tried to update a resume while sobbing hysterically. Loved ones called to hear how I was. Every morning, someone in my tribe of women did a devotion for that particular day that God nudged them to send me. Every single time, it was exactly what I needed to hear.
As I rested in a hopeless place these past few days, I borrowed hope.
I am jobless but I am not purposeless. (from a sweet friend) I am jobless but not without hope. I am jobless, but not friendless. I am jobless, but not joyless.
Paul reminds us that we need to comfort each other for the sake of hope. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) It is just as important to share in comforting one another as it is to share in the sufferings of Christ. Can I just say I love this so much?
Has life thrown you a curve ball recently? Dear sweet friend, God is not surprised! He has already started the necessary process of healing, even if you can't see it yet. I have no idea where this journey will take me. But I do know I am back to hopeful, but I also continue to borrow hope from my girls. The waiting room was dark on Saturday, but today there is light breaking through the cracks made by the love of those surrounding me.
Satan salivates at those curve balls that send us reeling. He sees a weakness in his prey, an opportunity to whisper those lies in your ears:
You are not enough.
They don't want you anymore.
You can't do this.
But not today, Satan! When sisters in Christ come together, support each other and praise God together, Satan knows he's beaten.
If you are looking for your tribe to borrow hope from, reach out! I would love to connect with you, cheer for you, and pray for you. You can find me on Facebook, IG, and Twitter or email me at nitawilkinson1@gmail.com.