For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)

I know this is a “common” verse parents pray for their children. For me, it wasn’t a verse I heard in a trendy way, the first time I really remember hearing this verse was when after Vince was born.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 was the verse I clung to and pleaded with God, reminding my Heavenly Father of His promises for my boy, Vincent. The first time I remember hearing this verse, I knew Vince would face a different set of challenges in life. I was in an abusive marriage.

I was raised in a Christian home, my parents have been married 46 years this year. Abuse. Divorce. Problems with drinking. These were not life situations I knew how to mentally process, or knew anyone who knew anything about these hardships.