Jeremiah 29:11 (edited version :)

We landed in what looked like a corn field.  The plane and the airport were both very small.  But I was twenty years old and on an adventure that caused everything around me to appear bigger than life.  Sioux Falls, South Dakota had never been on my radar as places most recognizable or desirable.  In fact, I knew nothing about the city or state other than it was west of the Mississippi and one of the rectangular looking states.  The only other thing I could claim as knowledge was the obvious truth that South Dakota sat directly south of North Dakota.  Yet, I had accepted an opportunity to travel for one year with a Christian singing group and we would train and be based in Sioux Falls.  So here I was.  Alone and away from my home and family, but I was ready to begin experiencing the life God had for me.  And even while standing in what seemed like the middle of nowhere,  I was confident that whatever He had planned for me was good.  

Ten years later, and after countless joyful experiences and painful heartaches, I met an amazing young veterinarian who was living in my home state of Illinois.   This young man, whom I described to my dearest friend as having kind eyes, softly stepped into my broken life and quietly began to win over my wounded heart.  He seem undaunted by the task in front of him.  

The ten years between the time I set out for God's adventure in South Dakota and our first meeting had taken it's toll on my heart.  Life has a way of crowding in and crushing our hopes and dreams.  The world we live in is filled with hurting people who in turn hurt others…sometimes without knowing and sometimes with great intention.   

The young veterinarian was living in Illinois but had grown up in South Dakota.  Having been raised on a South Dakota farm he was not easily shaken. He had seen his share of adversity, difficulties, disappointments and was well acquainted with hard work.  I was amazed by how grounded and stable he was.  There was such a solemn steadfastness about him.  Tenacity…faithfulness…and patience.  

I, on the other hand, had been quite shaken by unfortunate experiences.  I had encountered painful situations that I was not equipped to handle.  The adversities I faced had knocked me down and left me dazed.  Sadly, I had allowed disappointment to attach itself to me and my heart bore the scars intended to prevent it from any future hurt.

Over time, the steadfast love of the young veterinarian slowly melted the scars and I found myself ready to love and be loved.  Patiently he walked with me through a friendship, a courtship and later a romance.  As we have walked through our lives together the past twenty years I have seen the picture of Christ and His bride become more clear through the patient, faithful love I've been shown.  

  

This weekend we are in South Dakota staying at the farm where my husband grew up.  Without hesitation I can declare: I am blessed by God's sovereign design, His plans for me and His perfect provision.  God prepared a young man on a solitary farm in South Dakota and equipped him to be a loving, faithful husband and father.  My husband is the perfect companion for me and just the right father for our children.  The life God has designed for us is very good.  

A lifetime ago when I stepped off the plane in South Dakota I was trusting God to reveal His plans for me.  Little did I know then how beautifully He would bless my life.  Now, every year I board a small plane and fly to a small airport in what seems like the middle of a corn field.  But now I am not alone.  I am surrounded by people I love, on an adventure of a lifetime, living the beautiful life that God has given me.