A Change of Plans

Plans

Plans

Plans

I don’t think there is anything more exciting for me than sitting down to “make my plans”. I’m ready at all times to start my list and get things going. For me, making plans is just as much fun as the event I’m planning for.

I think it all started when I was a little girl. I planned whom I would marry, my wedding day, where I would live, and how many children I would have. I had all that figured out by the time I was about 6 years old! So, as you can see, I’ve been a busy little planner all my life.

Now don’t even get me thinking about an upcoming holiday or event, because you’ll have to hear about all my ideas on how to plan that special day. What can I say? I'm just a planner by nature.

When my younger sister was over last week, we were already planning our Christmas Tea for December. Yes, Christmas in July. Why not? It makes perfect sense to me.

Security for me is a well-made plan that is carried out to the letter. But then came those phone calls that suddenly interrupted my best-made plans.

I was only 14 years old when my mom was called to the hospital during the middle of the night. “There has been an accident”. And in one brief moment all the plans, hopes and dreams for her 18-year-old son came to a sudden end. Just like that, my brother was gone.

Several years later when I was in college, my dad called to tell me they had found cancer in my mother’s esophagus. My early college days turned into learning about that dreaded disease as I drove my mom back and forth for radiation treatments every day. My world was rocked to the core once again. Fighting for her life would be my goal that year, not grades.

And then there was that call from my cousin to turn on the late night news, only to discover it was a story about my father. As it turned out, he was struck and killed by a car while crossing the street in front of his own home. Once again, another shocking and unexpected call that turned the course of my life.

Finally, that call that only happens to someone else. This was the one I thought would be too much to bear. The doctor on the other end was saying she had found a lesion in my son’s brain. “A lesion! What is a lesion?” I frantically asked as I felt overwhelmed by this news.

Call after call; plan after plan; things change so suddenly. No warning; no time to prepare; everything going in another direction.

I expect there isn’t a person reading this that hasn’t experienced a call or some kind of event that suddenly changed the course of your life. Let’s face it; all of our best-made plans and ideas about life are subject to change at any moment.

So, what brings me comfort and peace? How can I know that no matter how plans may change it’s going to all be all right? From the beginning of time plans were made by someone much greater than us. And He has given us this glorious promise to attest to this magnificent fact in Jeremiah:

“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you...” Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

Whew…just when you think things are completely out of control, and your life has been turned upside down, there is peace in knowing that it is still God’s plan to take care of you!

God’s plan is to “give us a HOPE, and a FUTURE”. God’s desire is to personally be involved in every aspect of our lives. His plan will succeed, and He never makes a mistake! I may not know the future, but I know the One who does.

I’d like to conclude with a declaration that David made concerning the plans of God.

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (PS. 33:11)

Oh, what security lies in this wonderful truth. Our Master Planner knows the beginning and the end of our lives, and He has promised to always take care of us!

Lord, continue to teach me what it means to truly trust in you as I commit my life and plans into your hands. Thank you for the incredible future filled with hope that awaits us, that will last forever. Bless and encourage each woman who reads this as we journey together in your purposes and plans for our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

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