When Life Trips Over Your Plans
Well, reckon what’s goin’ on with you, friend? Come on over here and sit beside me on this here cushioned front porch sofa ‘a-fore life throws you another big curveball ‘bout the size of a big, fat, ol’ runaway hog. I was watchin’ a lil’ ol’ squirrel yesterday while it was tryin’ to leap from one branch to another. That critter missed the branch completely, and landed flat on his lil’ back lookin’ more confused than a lil’ ol’ smart-alec Banty rooster flappin’ his wings with feathers flyin’ in a big windstorm. An’ I thought to myself, “Bless his lil’ heart, that there’s exactly how life gits to feelin’ sometimes.” We git to plannin’ our way, but then life comes in slippin’ right on a banana peel. That there’s why Proverbs 16:9 is tellin’ us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” It turns out that God is still steering the wheel even when our well-made plans start fallin’ apart like one o’ them cheap-made lawn chairs.
Disappointment is as natural a thing as an ol’ cow swattin’ at flies with her tail. Joseph got thrown into a pit. David got chased ‘round the countryside like a lil’ ol’ rabbit dodgin’ a big, hungry fox. Paul got beaten, shipwrecked, and tossed in jail. Not one of ‘em ever sent God a complaint letter. They brought their hurts right straight to Him. That there’s the secret, friend. Disappointment ain’t no sign God has done forgotten ‘bout you. It’s more often that there doorway to where He’s invitin’ you to come closer to Him.
Sometimes God’s plan gits to lookin’ a whole lot like a detour that you don’t want to be takin’, but it’s really one o’ them there holy shortcuts, better known as a real divine interruption. We git to thinkin’ we’re seein’ the whole big picture, but we’re ‘bout as informed as a lil’ ol’ raccoon tryin’ to read a road map. God knows all. He sees the end from the beginnin’. Trustin’ Him in disappointment means loosenin’ your tight grip on that there life you had been imaginin’ and bein’ open to receivin’ the best life He’s busy shapin’ with His own hands just for you.
Faith gits to growin’ best in the soil of surrender. When life just don’t go your way, you get to be choosin’ what you will do. Will you be lettin’ disappointment dry up an’ harden you like a mud puddle in the August heat, or will you be lettin’ God soften you and grow something new an’ real special within you? Surrender ain’t givin’ up. It’s really leaning in real close. It’s sayin’, “Lord, I just don’t understand, but I’m gonna’ be trustin’ You through it anyway.”
Friend, disappointment may be rewritin’ your plans, but it don’t never erase God’s promises for your life. He’s still writin’ your story with His good plans of purpose and grace.
Father, I bring You the all the broken pieces of my disappointment. Help me trust You when life don’t look like what I was hopin’ for. Be strengthenin’ my heart to surrender my plans and rest in Your plans for me. Meet me in the places that ache and be growin’ my faith in the middle of it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well, now, pass some o’ them there teacakes over here, friend. As you git to journeyin’ off this here porch an’ right on back into your day ahead, you gotta’ be rememberin’ that disappointment just ain’t no kind o’ deadend. It’s more like an ol’ stubborn mule that’s refusin’ to budge an’ causin’ a block in the trail. It may be feelin’ like the journey’s over, but really, God is just workin’ in you, redirectin’ your steps to somethin’ better that He’s got planned just for you. Keep right on walkin’. Keep right on trustin’. Keep right on leanin’ into the One who’s able to see the whole path ahead. Your story ain’t stuck at all. It’s simply being rewritten by the One who’s wantin’ to be writin’ your story with His eternal wisdom and tender love.
With joy,
Gwen
