Guest Post by Thomas Meisinger: Jeremiah: 29:11

By Thomas Meisinger
Originally posted on January 29, 2013 at www.spiritualvitamin.blogspot.com

I chose this verse for several reasons, but most of all because it is mentioned in my current project, 20th and Rangeline.

Jeremiah 29:11

“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.”

Yesterday after work I drove straight to Kohl’s to buy workout clothes. My idea was that if I spent money to workout, I’d be motivated to do it. Immediately after buying these clothes I drove across the street to the grocery store, bought a pizza and a six-pack of beer. I fell asleep on the couch before the news. Spending money on something doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll provide results.

I’m not a pastor nor do I play one on TV, but I never thought I’d mention tithing in a blog. My father would be so proud. I don’t tithe every week because I honestly haven’t been going to church regularly. I relocated to the greater St. Louis area in October and although I’ve visited four churches, I haven’t found one that felt “right”.

I did tithe at one time though. When I lived in Joplin, I found a church that brought me home. I don’t know what it was about the place. Perhaps it was the preacher who looked like Bill Engvall and was just as funny. Or it was the vinyl quality praise band that had an attractive redhead rocking the vocals. Or it could have been because it was a place I felt comfortable with my faith.

I was comfortable with my faith and therefore trusted giving God money. It was after tithing I started to realize the little miracles that came along with it. Now I’m not saying throwing a dollar bill in the collection plate is like buying a Powerball ticket, but if you have faith that God will take care of you then he will.

First, overtime became available at work. Then I literally got cash in the mail after being selected to take surveys by a statistics agency. Finally, my new apartment in St. Louis flooded prior to the move in date. As a result, I was upgraded to a larger unit for $60 less a month.

I need those little miracles again. The other day an employee who was having, in my opinion, a far worse day reminded me, “Everything happens for a reason. I’m not sure what it is yet but the good Lord has a plan.” I’m not gonna lie, it was right at five o’clock after a horrible Monday so I got a little teary-eyed.

I’ve been struggling to see God’s plan for the last few months. I had two ways I could go. I could either make a change, or wait for change. I prayed and things started falling into place and now I’m in St. Louis. I love it. Although my life still isn’t where I want it to be, I know my life should be here.

Now that’s out of the way, the question is what should I do with my life? My big sis was in Alchemist's Anonymous in high school and now she's a forensic scientist. My twin started playing piano when she was eight and now she's a music therapist. I've been writing since I could hold a pencil (incorrectly). All I want is to be able to do what I love for a living. At times, I’ve spent forty hours a week writing but at the cost of my social life.  I don’t know how much longer I can do that.

I came home today with the intention of editing my second book. That was the plan until overplayed hits on the country music station led me to surf until “One Thing Remains” which I recognized from my old church. It left me sitting in silence with my hands stuck on the wheel and watching the pouring rain obscure the windows. It left me thinking of my employee and what he said and wondering where it was all going.

I walked inside and started the coffee maker to begin writing. I looked at a blank page for ten minutes and thought, “I ought to watch this past week’s sermon. After all, I paid for it.” But it doesn’t work that way.

I’ve lost faith in what God’s plan for me was. I truly believe that I’m meant to make a career in writing. It’s my passion. It makes sense. It’s what I’m comfortable with. I have no desire to be rich and famous. I think people who live in big houses are dumb because you can’t be in more than one room anyway. All I want to do is make an average wage.

But until then I need to have faith that everything that is happening is supposed to happen. Perhaps tithing, serving others in the capacity I do now, and using the talents I have for God will lead me there. It’s what I pray for every single day, and even though I don’t always want to admit it, God is listening.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas Meisinger was born, raised and educated in Chicago's southwest suburbs. He began performing stand-up comedy in 2009 while in college. You may have seen him at The Comedy Shrine, Edge Comedy Club, and other establishments he doesn't like enough to give free publicity. If he spent as much time filling out job applications as he did writing jokes during his last semester, he would probably have a better paying job. Currently residing utterly alone in Missouri, he has since shifted his focus to writing.

He spent a year working on his first novel, The World Is Shallow; That's Why I Never Learned How to Swim, which is currently available on all major eBook retail sites. The humorous fictional autobiography has received rave reviews from family, friends, and stray cats wandering his apartment. Meisinger’s favorite hobby is people-watching at coffee shops but let's face it, he really just has a staring problem.

He currently writes four blogs: Penguins are Pretentious (www.penguinsarepretentious.blogspot.com) is a collection of Meisinger’s ideas, opinions and experiences. Bacon, Eggs, and Whiskey (www.baconeggsandwhiskey.blogspot.com) is life from a bachelor’s point of view. Spiritual Vitamin (www.spiritualvitamin.blogspot.com) contains Christian-themed reflections. Dear Grandma Margie (www.deargrandmamargie.blogspot.com) is a series of fictional letters Meisinger wrote to his real grandmother. He hopes to honor her by self-publishing those letters by her 88th birthday, March 24, 2013.

If you must, "Like" Meisinger's Facebook Fan Page, follow him on Twitter at #TomMeisinger., or check out his website at www.funnythomas.com.