Our Scripture reading today is Jeremiah 29:11-14.
Verse 11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
What is God doing in my life?  Why is God allowing this into my life?  Why didn't God stop this from happening in my life?  Possibly you have asked questions like these at some point in your life and for some, it could be right now.  What could look like a trial or punishment to us is actually part of God's expected end.  Previously in the book of Jeremiah we read in chapter 18 verse 4, "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it."  Our God is the potter and we are the clay.  I find great peace in knowing that I am in His hands.  He is shaping me to be more useful for His glory.  While He is shaping me, He already has my expected end in mind.
Consider your life and all the blessings that God has given you.  I was reminded yesterday by one of our seniors about the song, "Count Your Blessings."  It might not be easy, but everything God allows into our lives is a blessing.  Today is a blessing.  It is part of God's expected end for our lives.  The best thing we can do is yield our clay to the Potter.  He is still working on us to make us what we ought to be.