Our Plans vs. His Plans (Part 1)

*NOTE*: Before I begin, I want to warn you that a lot of this post may seem like repetition. It's true that some of it is. But it's repetition that we all need to hear-- Truths that we should never forget.

So even though I'm sitting here freezing because the window next to me is open, it's fifty degrees outside, and I'm in shorts and a T-shirt, I have good news: Summer IS coming! Yes indeed! In fact, here in MA we are supposedly have 90 degree weather coming our way this next week! Well, the forecast could be wrong, but I've got some hope. In light of that hope, let me say again that summer is nearly upon us! Officially that is. Some of us are already out of school and it feels like summer is already here, but technically summer doesn't begin until June 21. . . But that's just a technicality, right? Right. So! In light of summer--and for my first post in a while--let's talk about plans. 

What are your summer plans?

People have probably asked you that question a lot in the previous months because let's be honest: When we get to about March, most of us are already ready for the stress of school to be gone and for the warm, relaxing days to begin. Perhaps vacationing to Florida or just going to some beach or swimming in the backyard. Alright, alright. Maybe your summer is more like mine and isn't so relaxing but is rather spent running around town or traveling to other states with a rare amount of beach days. But still. No school stress and warmer weather, which means that students, workers, and others can all greatly enjoy something about this season. So I ask again: What are your summer plans? (And go ahead and comment below. I'd love to see what y'all will be doing over the next few months!)

My summer plans are--as always--crazy. My niece will be born at the end of the month, so we will go see her, my brother, and my sister-in-love sometime. Then, my uncle is getting married, so we want to go see him for that. And then at the very end of the summer we send one of my older sisters off to college. Kind of a sad way to end the summer, but exciting nonetheless. The days in between will hopefully be filled with taking my younger brothers to play basketball, going on bike trails, playing outside, going to the beach, bowling, and cheering on my brother and his team at football scrimmages. It seems like this summer will be so busy that if I blink, it'll be over and I won't have cherished it enough. Anyone else have that feeling? Have you ever gotten so caught up the summer travels and busyness that little, memorable moments are overlooked and God is forgotten? I know I have.

Well, this summer, I want to challenge you. Strive to make God the center of this season. He wants to be there. He deserves to be there. If He is there, you'll most likely be able to step back amidst the craziness of the season and see all the blessings and moments that you will want to remember. Also, you will also be so much happier if He IS there because summer plans change, and that often leads to disappointment. But He will never change. And He has plans for you that are much better than any of those you can create. If your plans fall through, then that's God telling you, "Hey! Your plans don't fit into My perfect plan for you!"

Well, okay, that's nice, but why does it matter? Why are God's plans the best? First, He knows everything. Past, present, and future. If He knows the future, you can bet that the present events will prepare you for what will come or even protect you from something that would have otherwise happened in the future. Other than that, this is God that we're talking about. The One who loved His people so much that He sent His only Son to DIE for us so that we could have the best future with Him in heaven. That same loving Father wants what's best for His people now. So it's safe to say this His plans are those that will benefit us most. Not only that, but He also says in Jeremiah that His plans are for our benefit (see below). And on top of that, everything He plans is used for His glory and to grow us in our faith. So yes. His plans matter, and they're the best ones for us. (And they're the only plans that matter anyway, so it's good that His plans are the best!!) Sometimes, we can't see how His plans are good for us. Sometimes disappointment and sadness get in the way. But whenever that happens, remind yourself of the truth. 

On that note, I want to tell you about a family at my church. For privacy's sake, I won't tell you their name, but I will say that they are a young, amazing family. The parents have three young, beautiful, bubbly, and charming girls, and the entire family is such a blessing to our church. Sadly, though, their youngest daughter has a rare type of cancer. Not even a year old and she's experiencing struggles that doctors can't even fully understand. It seems so awful for this little girl and her amazing family to go through this. You know what? I bet when the mother was pregnant with this little one, the parents dreamed of having all three girls at home together all the time. They probably imagined them playing, singing, goofing off, and growing together at home and pretty much all the time. What parent doesn't imagine that? What parent doesn't plan for that? But God didn't want that for them. It wasn't His plan. A lot of this little girl’s life has been spent in the hospital, and that’s put a lot of strain on her body, her parent’s emotions, and the normalcy that her sisters used to have.

Sometimes, it's hard to look at something like that and still believe that God wants what's best for His people. That His plans are the best plans for us. But as Christians, we know that they are. We know God is not out to get us, and we rest in His mercy. His hands. His love.

I don't know why that little girl got cancer, but I do know that her parents sing God's praises, even in this rough time. They rest on the fact that He is in control. They cling to the truth that His plans are perfect. Some days it's hard, they've told me. Some days they can only wonder how much more of this they can take as parents, let alone how much more their girls can bear to go through. Still, they trust in His ways, although they can't always understand them. (Seriously, I wish you all could just sit down and talk with them. It's inspirational and a true picture of God's work in the lives of His people.) And that little girl? She testifies as well, only in a different way. I wish you could meet her. Her smile (and the smiles of her sisters) light up a room in an instant--a small yet significant reassurance of God's presence and plan in this rough time. I hope their story inspires you as much as it has inspired me. Trust in the Lord and His plan, even when you can’t understand it. In trials like these (and honestly anything you go through), it’s God that makes all the difference.

So while you go through the motions of this summer, remember it's great to have plans. We need to have some sort of "path" to go on. Also, remember that it's okay to be disappointed when those plans don't work out. Just rest in the knowledge that He has the best plans for you. If something falls through, that's for a reason. He knows best. Never forget that.

As another example. . . I wanted so badly to go on a missions trip to Honduras this year with my online school, but my parents said I needed to wait at least another year because I asked them so short notice (along with a few other things). I'll admit: I got really upset and even cried. I wanted to go and serve. I couldn't understand why God had said no. I prayed so much about it! To this day, I still can't understand why He answered the way He did, but I know that He didn't say no to be mean to me. It's not like He just wanted me to miss out on the experience because I didn’t deserve it or something like that. He had a reason that was founded on His love and plan for my life. Some days, I still get a little sad that He said no, but in those times, He always seems to whisper that He is enough. He is good. He loves me. And He has a plan for my life that I can't beat--not even with a 2017 Honduras trip.

Take comfort in that. You serve a God Who cares so much for you. And when you get disappointed because plans fall through, tell Him about it. Of course, He already knows, but still pray about it. Verbally communicate what you're feeling. Voice your frustrations. He wants you to tell Him what's on your heart because that's how you can grow in Him. And once you do that, pray that He will give you peace with your circumstances. And He will! And one day, you might even be able to see exactly why God changed your plans.

And if you don't know this God--This loving Father of Whom I speak--then pray that He will open your eyes. And I will pray the same thing. I will pray for all who read this. If you know God, I will pray that He will strengthen you in your walk, even when He changes your plans. If you do not know Him, I will pray that He will open your eyes so that you can know Him and have peace knowing that Someone in charge of everything has the best plans ever for your life.

For a final example, I want to tell another story that’s inspired me to trust God and His plans for my life. It’s not about someone that I know, but rather someone who opened up her heart in a book that she wrote and also in various interviews. In one interview, she talks about an instance when her family was going to a concert. She was on the fence about whether she should go or not. At the last minute- - as her family was walking out the door- - she felt God change her mind, and she rushed downstairs to go. Good thing she did. That night, she met one of the singers who (surprise!) later became her husband. God changed her mind just in time. His plan was like nothing she could have ever imagined. Learn from this story as well. You never know where God will take you, so make plans but ultimately trust His plans for your life.

Well, I hope you y'all have a great summer! Once again, don't be shy and leave a comment below telling me what you'll be doing this summer. Also, feel free to share any prayer requests you have so that I can pray for you along with the others reading this. And, if you're feeling up to it, share this with a friend! God bless!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." ~Proverbs 16:9 (KJV)