This morning as I was reading in Jeremiah, God is telling the captured Israelites to multiply in their new location–Babylon. He is using Jeremiah to pass this message along to them. The means in which God communicates this message leaves me seeing that children and grandchildren are jewels. He wanted them to prosper in this new territory because in due time He would bring them back to Israel.
Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” There are so many times in my younger years I read this or heard this from a pastor’s sermon. I didn’t know how to translate it into meaning for me. I would think there may be some hope for me with all my hidden filth but there would be no way God could prosper me while I kept the ugliness a secret. God just doesn’t bless filthy rags I KNEW. Somehow though, God has taken what I knew was filth and turned it into a message of love and support. He hasn’t just done this for me but for those He wanted my story to help. I can’t fathom how He does this, but He just does. Yes, we have to eventually take the steps I’ve learned to take trusting that the verse in Jeremiah is true– “…plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” I feel as though I’m living today in the final outcome days. The bondage I’ve known is gone and instead of bondage it’s a message being used to help others. It’s a message of FREEDOM.
God is truly AMAZING!
Earnie Lewis 
I really enjoyed reading your reflections—it feels honest and grounded in real life experiences. The way you describe continuing the journey with faith and patience is something many people can relate to. It’s a good reminder that growth doesn’t happen all at once but through steady progress. Your words bring comfort and perspective to anyone going through a challenging season. What inspired you most to stay consistent during the tougher parts of your journey?
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Being the 10th of 12 kids gave me the chance to learn from my older sibling’s rebellion. It cost them personally. Dad was simply abusive to all of us. I sure didn’t want to be like him. I also was never going to be like my abusive brother who used me sexually for so long. Living for Jesus was the right thing to do and doing it as best I could was my goal.
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That must have been incredibly heavy to grow up with, and it takes real strength to speak about it openly. Learning from the pain around you and choosing a different path shows courage, not weakness. Your commitment to faith and to breaking the cycle says a lot about who you chose to become. How did that journey shape your outlook today?
Derma roller
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Today I do counseling at our church to help others know their struggle doesn’t need to be kept a secret as I had done for so long. I also started our Celebrate Recovery program with the help of my wife and 5 others 18 years ago. People don’t need to live in the lies Satan wants to feed each of us.
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