If you are like me…You are on Plan Z

“Many are the Plans in a Man’s heart but the Lord’s Purpose Will Prevail.”    Proverbs 19:21

Once upon a time there was a little girl born into a loving family, to parents who wanted her and cherished her. From the start her grandmother on her mother’s side would declare, “I believe my sweet granddaughter was actually born HAPPY!”  She had lots of energy, cart wheeling from here to there, smiling most of the time, eating everything in sight, singing and giggling her way into life…

All was great and going along just fine….until the news of a new sister was part of the PLAN…WHAT? That was not what she bought into when she agreed to be born! She liked being the center of attention. First grandchild born!  Having ALL the undivided attention of the grandparents for 3 whole years,  not a bad gig. Did it have to change? She was not too sure she liked this new plan.

But with change… it can come without our permission.

First change in plans for this sweet little girl, a new little sister entered her world…This sister came and to be honest, it was not as bad as she thought. Once her mother stopped breastfeeding her and put her down she was kinda fun… and kinda cute. In fact her little sister became her best friend for life, even though it was not part of her PLAN, it was always part of God’s.

As she grew, she loved talking with God, as if she knew he was always there and that she was never really alone, never out of His care. Laying in the grass of her front yard, looking up into the blue sky, watching the clouds roll by.  A bit of a tomboy, climbing trees, daydreaming, skateboarding, pondering life, hopes and dreams… Life was good again, just as she PLANNED.

She would just talk with God…I guess what we grown-ups call praying.

Sure, it started out with the “Now I lay me’s, down to sleep.”, but quickly moved to, “Lord help me pass this test! Make the team”, “Can I go to camp!”  “I hope my parents don’t find out and scream!”

Around 7th grade she lost her loving grandmother, She was heartbroken. Why was this part of the plan?

Soon after her parents announced they were getting divorced…

What? Are you kidding me? That really was not part of her PLAN! Did anyone check with me? Don’t you know about picket fences and tuck-in kisses?

Her Prayers  quickly went to…“Please bring my dad home, I miss him so…Help my mom… I am so sad, my heart is aching, what am I to do, when the parents I love and are suppose to be one, become two.”

The Plan had changed…. Life shifted again. Heart healed and scared up, and as things settled and she knew she would live, there were dances, tests, boys and first kisses.

As she finished up school the conversations with God sounded a bit like this…Lord…..Help me find a job… Where and what do you want me to do? What about marriage, a family to live under one roof?

Then came the day, she saw him and prayed… “Oh he’s so cute, Lord..I hope he asks me out! I hope he thinks I am cute too!”

He did.

Then came marriage and all those baby carriages

JUST AS SHE PLANNED. Life was good and was going along with all HER plans.

As life moved forward, she started to see that all the Plans she made didn’t come without hitches. They got uncomfortable, and tight at times, they came with itches.

The cute guy wasn’t so cute when he drank. Marriage was awfully lonely at times, even though the 2 were suppose to be ONE? Where was the love, adventure and fun? With kids to take care of, breakfast, lunch and dinner to make, homework to be done and beds to be made. Money issues that arose and caused fussin and fighting, she started to think…

Gosh, it was much harder to be a grown up than she had PLANNED, as she cried at the sink. There was pain and disappointments, expectations not met, challenges that seemed too great and came with fear and worry and loads of regret.

She asked herself…”Am I stronger enough, brave enough to handle this? Will I make it and see MY plans through?”

And in the quiet nights where fear crept in she cried out, “God, are you listening? Hey God, are you still here? I feel so alone and so scared.”

You see she knew that they didn’t make hospitals for this kind of pain, she was on her own to muddle through this mess.

Plans began to shift and change again. Back roads and side streets with bumps and pot holes that were not seen…The white picket fences came down with a crash, she was left with divorces, children and very little cash.  This was a terrible plan and not one she expected. She was hurt, in pain, felt like life had been burned up and she was left with the ashes.

But in the quiet moments where the pain and loneliness love to live, she strained to hear that loving voice that had been with her all along the way… He whispered,

“I’m still here.

You see, many were your plans but if you keep your eyes on me you will prevail. You will live. And I will never leave you or forsake you. I am your God and you are my girl… how about if you just trust me and be you! The Beautiful girl I created you to be! Now get up because have I got great plans for you.”

“I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to give you and hope and a future…”     Jeremiah 29:11    

Notice the plural in plans! So whether you are on plan A or have worked your way down the alphabet like me, God can turn everything around for those who love and trust him…I do! What about you?