Thanks for joining us for today's encouragement from the Our Daily Bread Devotional.

Our reading titled Reclaiming Our Time was written by Katara Patton.

My mother shared with me how she chose not to attend college so she could marry my father

in the 1960s, but she always held on to her dream of becoming a home economics teacher.

Three children later, though she never received a college degree, she did become a nutritionist

aid for the state of Louisiana's health system. She cooked meals to

demonstrate healthier choices, much like a home economics teacher. As she shared her dream with me

after recounting the events of her life, she proclaimed that God had indeed heard her prayers

and given her the desires of her heart. Life can be like that

for us. Our plans point one way, but reality goes another way. But with God, our time,

and lives can be turned into beautiful displays of his compassion, love, and restoration. God told the people of Judah that he would repay them for their lost or destroyed years, brought about by a locust swarm.

He continues to work to help us in the challenges and unfulfilled dreams we face, for we serve a redeemer God who honors and rewards our sacrifices for

him. Whether we're facing a devastating challenge or time of unrealized dreams, may we call out to the

God who restores and give him praise.

Join me as I read today's scripture reading from Joel chapter 2, verses 21 through 27.

Do not be afraid, land of Judah. Be glad and rejoice. Surely the Lord has done great things. Do not be afraid you wild animals,

for the pastors in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their riches. Be glad, people of Zion,ice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the

autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains as

before. The threshing floors will be filled with grain. The vats will overflow with new wine and

oil. I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. The great locust and the young locust,

the other locusts and the locust swarm, my great that i sent among you you will have plenty to eat until you are full

and you will praise the name of the lord your god who has worked wonders for you never again will my people be shamed

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