God’s Grand Design (Week 27)

I never envisioned myself as a military wife. I didn’t grow up near a military base or have much experience with family in the service. I had plans to stay put in my small North Carolina hometown. But God. He had other plans for me.
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I met my husband when we were both in college but knew from the start that the Army is where God was leading him. When we got married, he was already serving and stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. In 2016 we had been married for four years and we were awaiting our orders to find out where we would be moving next: Fort Riley, Kansas. Not exactly the dream destination. ​Some military families get to live in places such as California, Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, even Germany or Italy. Instead, we moved eighteen hours away from family and everything we had ever known to the middle of what seemed like nowhere.

The book of Esther is an example of God’s divine guidance and care over our lives. God’s sovereignty and power are seen throughout this book. Although we may question certain circumstances in our lives, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both the pleasant and difficult times so that we can serve him effectively. Esther’s circumstances may seem coincidental; however, they were part of God’s grand design. It may have seemed coincidental that Esther was placed on the throne, or that Mordecai uncovered a conspiracy, or the king was not be able to sleep and decided to review the history of his reign, and just so happened to stumble upon the truth of Mordecai’s good deed. However, the truth is that God was at work.

Around the time we moved to Kansas we were also struggling with infertility. Once we got settled in Kansas, I started a new job that through a series of events led me to a fertility specialist who helped us get pregnant with our first child. It would be easy to say that those events were merely circumstantial, but I know that God had it all planned from way before we even knew we were moving to Kansas. God also prepared a place for us there. He provided us with a wonderful home, a beautiful church community that quickly became our second family and so many amazing friendships that I still cherish to this day. I could talk all day long about the blessings that move brought me.

God is always at work. God has been working quietly and patiently throughout your life as well. The events that have come together for good are not mere coincidence; they are the result of God’s sovereign control over the course of your life.
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If you are changing jobs, position, or location and can’t see God’s purpose in your situation, rest in the truth that God is in control. Where you are is not a coincidence. I believe God has placed us all, intentionally, where we are for “such a time as this.” God may be placing you in a position so you can help when the need arises. Look for God’s hand at work in your life, and trust that God will be faithful to complete His good work in and through you.

Memory Verse: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

About the Author

Hi, my name is Jessica Parker. I am a wife and a stay-at-home mom. My husband is an Army veteran, so we have moved around a lot in our eight years of marriage. We currently live in North Georgia with our two little ones that keep us busy. I love reading, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I am most passionate about helping women find their community and learning more about God's love for us.