In September 2017, I was laid off from my job of 10 years. By nature, I am a planner. So, you could imagine how I felt when my so-called plan had been derailed. I had never been terminated or laid off from a job before. Any time I changed jobs, it was a decision I made for myself. Little did I know God had other plans for me and he was preparing me for his plan. 
 
Approximately a year or so prior, I started a Bible Study group with some of my girlfriends. I wasn’t even sure if this was something I really wanted to do or if any of them would be interested in attending. However, what did I have to lose? To my surprise several of the ladies were very interested in attending. 
 
This wasn’t your typical Bible study group. Some of us attended church on a regular basis, and some of us didn’t. Some of us read our Bibles on a regular basis, but some of us didn’t. Some of us had a regular prayer life, but some of us didn’t.
 
However, all of us had our own relationship with God and this Bible study was something we all needed at the time. We met once a month and during those meetings we shared so much, including grumbles about our jobs. We cried, prayed and sometimes had disagreements, but it was all part of God’s plan. 
 
God heard my grumbles and removed me from a place I probably would never have had the courage to remove myself from. He forced me to lean and depend on him. He had to remind me I was not in control, but he was. 
 
It took me approximately six weeks to find a job after officially being laid off. I had several job interviews that went well, but I wasn’t chosen for those positions. However, one interview that was orchestrated by God, was my first job interview with Buckner. This interview went well, like all my other job interviews, but I wasn’t chosen for that position either. But God had chosen me for another position with Buckner; however, I had to trust his plan. 
 
In November 2017, I started the position God chose for me. I have heard stories like mine over and over from others employed by Buckner. Buckner is not a coincidence but a part of God’s plan for my life, and I was chosen. 
 
This is something we must remember regardless of what our plans are: Gods plans are so much better, even when we may not see it or understand it. Believe it. You were chosen!
 
"'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 a hope and a future.'" – Jeremiah 29:11
 
Written by Shelly Nixon, manager of Administration for Buckner Children and Family Services.  

Do you want to receive a spiritual devotion each week? Sign up here to receive our Faith Focus newsletter.