Now I don’t want to brag, but I can come up with some pretty exciting and organized plans. I can work out the details, dream up solutions and fit ideas together like puzzle pieces. And sometimes these things work out (-ish), while much of the time my crazy ideas fall by the wayside.
Ever the optimist, I don’t let this deter me! New day, new plans and ideas! And again, some things may work out while many don’t.
I was thinking about this the other night – how many plans hadn’t worked out like I had anticipated. The timing or the opportunities weren’t what I had grown up imagining and preparing for. But I do know one truth – well, two actually – and I wanted to share them with you as you might find yourself in a similar place, wondering about certain things in your life.
#1 If it’s not this, it is something even better
(Whatever your this is – fill in the blank!) I believe this most whole-heartedly!
Know that it’s not wrong to make plans and have dreams. It isn’t wrong to work towards goals and have high aspirations! Hold them dear, think of them as stepping stones, but also know that if they don’t work out or come to pass God has something even better!
A few years back, it really seemed as if the time was approaching to open a retail shop. I had sold online for over a decade and now was the time to take the next step. I researched and pursued opportunities. My Dad helped me look at and chart out possible locations.
And then a different opportunity came along – I was invited to consign my items in an existing shop. I wouldn’t need to help run the shop, just pay a monthly fee. What an opportunity! Not what I had expected or been planning on, but as I said above, somehow I only seem to have a hint of the direction I’m supposed to go!
After several months of consigning at this shop, the owner mentioned she was considering closing. I encouraged her not to, offered to come in and help out a few days, and together we gave the shop a new interest and energy.
I thought we were doing quite well, when just over a month into our new arrangement, another curve ball was thrown! The owner wanted to sell the shop and gave my sister and I first dibs! Call me crazy, but I never saw that one coming!
So within nine months of seriously pursuing a store of my own, I wound up with one (with my sister!)! It didn’t happen like I thought it would, but it is truly something even better!
#2 You can’t hijack God’s plans
This may sound terribly obvious, but when we are down and discouraged, I think many of us worry about this.
What if I didn’t make the right choice, wasn’t outgoing enough, was too outgoing, or just bombed a situation?
I find myself asking some of these worrying questions from time to time. But the truth of the matter is, God’s got this. You can’t outmaneuver Him. You can’t mess up His plans by being human! Quite simply, we aren’t that powerful! He is God!
There are often situations that might cause us to wonder where we went wrong. Definitely learn whatever lessons you will, resolve to do better, but then you must move on!
God’s plans and ways are higher than ours and we are incapable of frustrating them! To me, this reminder is such a relief! It is such a comfort and a blessing! God’s plans will unfold exactly as He has laid out since the foundation of the world! We might not know what those plans hold, but we can be certain that they aren’t only as good as our dearest dreams, they hold so much more – something even better!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. I pray that this ignites fresh hope in your heart! May God bless you with peace in His timing and courage in what He has ahead!