Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sunday Dinner: A Hope and a Future

Some of my best writing is done on napkins. These little notes tucked into my daughters' lunchboxes are my way to give them a mid-day hug in the school lunchroom. School starts tomorrow and I've just finished inscribing pep-talks on paper products.

I'll never forget the first day of school last year. Olivia was starting 7th grade and I wasn't sure if she had outgrown the whole note from mommy on a napkin thing. She was about to grab her lunchbox off the kitchen counter as we were heading out the door. I hadn't yet zipped it up and out of the corner of my eye I saw her open her lunchbox, flip part of the napkin over, and take a quick peek to see if I had written on it. I saw the corners of her mouth turn up into a smile showing me that she still appreciated the paper poetry. My heart rejoiced as I realized she'd never outgrow needing words of encouragement.

Do you ever feel like sometimes God writes on your napkin and when you least expect it, you find it in your lunchbox? There have been many times that I've felt that a scripture was written just for me.

This week's Sunday dinner scripture is a verse that is very special to me (I'll share that story later). I wrote this verse on my girls' napkins tonight along with some other words to start the school year.

"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."

Jeremiah 29:11

This scripture brings such peace--just hearing that He has plans to give us a hope and a future. I look at my children and claim this verse for their lives. As a parent, I want so badly to make the plans and know the plans for my children's lives. But, praise God, that He makes the plans and, oh, His plans are so much better than anything I could have dreamed up.

This week's dessert of song is a sweet one called "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets. It's the perfect back-to-school song. I just might need to jot some of these lyrics on a napkin.

This week, may you get a glimpse of God's plan for you to have a hope and a future!

More Than Lots,
Kathie

5 comments:

Kristin Ferguson said...

When I was student teaching my senior year in college, I lived at home and commuted an hour to the school I was placed in. It was a very rough semester for me but my Mom STILL put notes in my lunches which brought me much needed encouragement! Keep on writing notes--your kids will never outgrow needing their Mom's advice/encouragement/wisdom! :)

Kristin

trustandobey said...

LOVE this song by Sidewalk Prophets!!! I think I will put a photo montage together for my eldest to this song for her 16th b'day. LOVE the verse in Jeremiah too. I picked the same one for Logan's baby dedication verse. It is priceless! Great post. I pray my girls never outgrow notes of encouragement either.
Lisa

sierrasmom said...

WOW!!! Somehow I missed the post that you are adopting again!!! I can't wait to follow this journey!! I too spend hours on waiting children's lists. I have found a little boy who has stolen my heart. Please pray that somwhow our family can figure out a way to bring him home. Our adoption a year ago, my 2 year leave without pay , and a son starting college this fall has made money very tight (VERY) Pleasw pray that God will give us direction and soften my husbands heart even more!! Thanks for stopping by my blog!!!
Kathie

junglemama said...

Beautiful post. I needed this reminder.

Angela said...

This scripture is right here before me also..I just need to raise my eyes above this computer screen and look on the dining room wall. I had it hand painted by an artist when we moved into this house 12 years ago. She painted ivy all around it. It is one of my very first scriptures I memorized. I still remember the first time I 'found' it while reading God's Word. I cried. I bawled. I told my hubby (who back than wasn't a believer), "Randy, this is God's promise for our family."...and it's true...God's truth in this scripture has rung true over and over and over in our lives....