Plans

I’ve been exhausted…emotionally, mentally and, to a degree physically, exhausted.

A new health issue recently popped up—a thyroid nodule. After having a needle biopsy performed I’m sitting in the limbo land of waiting for final results. That’s a quietly stressful land to exist within.

On top of that I’m blessed with a VERY busy veterinary practice. So busy that’s there’s just not enough hours in each day to see all the critters in need without risking over extending myself at the detriment of my health. I’m searching for another veterinarian to help share the load but in today’s hiring climate I don’t expect to find the perfect candidate any time soon. So I push forward and do the best I can to serve those that I can.

Last summer I received the good news that a USDA grant I had applied for had been funded. My dream of being better equipped for mobile large animal care was coming true. But that blessing loops back to the fact that my practice is insanely busy and without another doctor to help share the load I’ll be equipped without the time in my schedule to serve those clients who need me. Recently I stood next to my new pickup and veterinary service box—the core of my grant proposal—and wondered in slight defeat and exasperation how I was going to make all this work.

Most recently I’ve been battling what I’ve come to know as the “Christmas Crud”. The cold my son brought home from school for the holiday break set into me and evolved into bronchitis. I’d love to call in sick but referring back to a few paragraphs ago doing so would put my schedule, and thus my ability to help the critters and their people, further behind. So I push forward.

So, as one can easily see, I have every reason to be exhausted.

Then today, as I settled into my office chair for my morning routine of attempting daily “quiet time” and Bible study (I say attempt as I’ll be honest, my tired mind wanders and more often than not I eve up on another non-biblical tangent) the Lord spoke to me.

Not a audible booming voice from above but a quiet reassurance transmitted through the words on a page.

You see, today is my 43rd birthday. And on my 43rd birthday my daily Bible app presented as the verse of the day THE verse that has carried me through previous points in life where I’ve felt exhausted: Jeremiah 29:11

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.

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I contemplated the day ahead and the many things that were ahead the Lord gently reminded me to not forget that He’s got this. His birthday gift to me was the reminder that no matter how chaotic, unpredictable, and just plain tough life seems to be, He’s got this. I just need to contribute to look to Him, listen, and trust. He has been oh so faithful through the years and I know He’ll be the same in years to come. I’m still exhausted as I compose these thoughts, but now I’m heading into my day with a renewed light to illuminate my path.

Thank you Lord for the most excellent birthday gift.