Have you ever had a verse you just could not get out of your mind? Well, my wife knows the feeling. Everynight she calls to me, “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” Then I come swinging down the vine in my leopard print outfit and say, “Me Fat Tom…You Stacey.” Wait a minute…what am I talking about? Not that kind of verse.
Everywhere I go these days, I am either seeing or hearing Jeremiah 29:11. If you aren’t familiar with this verse, it says ”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.” I cannot escape it. Just yesterday morning I ate 29 pancakes with 11 sausages all smothered in Aunt Jeremiah syrup. Okay…that didn’t happen yesterday, but I was layed off from my job today.
Some of you might think this is a terrible thing, especially right before Christmas. I disagree. When you think about it, what better time for a jolly fat man to be looking for a job? This is probably my fault anyway. You see, two days ago my wife and I prayed for a sign. We’ve been really missing the Great State of Texas lately and have been wondering if we didn’t make a mistake moving out to California. Besides having the beaches and the mountains, California is where our physical families reside. However, Texas is where our Church Family is, where more of our friends are, and really where our hearts are. Was this a “sign” that now is the time to move back? I don’t know.
There is an old saying that basically says if you want to hear God laugh, tell him what your plans are. We are praying for God’s will and for wisdom. Somehow, I’ve always struggled with knowing what is God’s will, and what is Fat Tom’s will. In Romans 12:2 the Bible tells us to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve and what God’s will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Okay…so what’s the pattern of this world? Greed? Should my next job be the one that offers me the most money? That would allow me to drive a nicer car and finally I might be able to keep up with those darn Jones’s. I know how to be transformed by the renewing of my mind…I basically have to let my little pebble I call a brain marinate in God’s word. A fat guy doing some marinating…shouldn’t be too big of a challenge. Heck, God was even kind enough to allow me to now have plenty of time on my hands to literally soak in his word. If I actually do it, maybe he’ll even let me in on his little secret plans he has for me to prosper. If you want to say a prayer for your Fat Blogging Buddy, please feel free to do so. Right now I’m just hoping for clarity, wisdom, and the strength to do God’s will…whatever that may be.
Very hard to do but when you actually resist the temptation to control all the aspects in your life and give them to HIM you will find out HIS timing is perfect.
Like the rest of us, there is pretty good chance you will try to force things and make things happen. If you really want to you can do it your way but life experience has taught me his way is always far superior. Learn from the lessons of Job Grasshopper, patience is more than a virtue.
Myself and your two other readers will be praying for you and your family.
Hey Tom,
We definately will be praying for you guys as you allow God to show you the next step. Do you guys need anything in the meantime???
Your tall slender friend from Hillbilly Arkansas will definitely be praying for you. I will tell my neighbor (Betty Jo) to put a shout out up to God for you too! If I do my math right I am your 4th reader of this blog (it’s been a while since I have had to add numbers since being out of a real job myself for a while). I may be one of the few that will come out and commend you in writing on your hilarious and educational Blog. Don’t listen to those crazy brothers of yours (and sister). I think you have a talent for this Blog thing, but how can you turn it into $$$ is the question? I know and pray that you will find success as God’s will for you is revealed (as you sit back in that couch with the remote and chip bowl and soak it up)! See you soon..