A Change Of Plans

I heard the story of sisters who had planned a ‘sister’s getaway’.  They traveled several hundred miles to their destination and settled in.  The first morning they planned on taking a walk to the ocean to breathe in the salty air and dip their toes into the chilly water.  As they descended the steps, one of the sisters missed a step and injured her ankle.  

ALTERNATE PLANS

Instead of their morning walk they spent the morning in the emergency room, with X-rays and doctors.  While they were able to remain for the duration of the planned stay, everything changed.  Their morning walks to enjoy the area scenery was now morning talks on the porch, sitting in the soft breeze.  Instead of exploring a nearby state park, they explored their very different lives since they were children.  It wasn’t at all what they’d planned, but they formed a closer bond than either of them had imagined.  It became a time of growing relationship.

LIFE HAPPENS

I suspect we’ve all had times when plans just didn’t work out like we expected; a promotion we expected went to someone else, an ended relationship, or a dream that never came true.  One person in the earlier conversation admitted that she and her husband have had several trips where a detour seemed to imply disaster, but turned out to be a blessing!

DETOURS

I’m one of those odd people that doesn’t mind taking a detour when traveling, (especially when we’re on roads we’ve taken before) because it seems there is always beauty to be found in these previously unexplored areas.

Sudden changes, however, can throw a person’s plans totally upside down, when they aren’t temporary, but permanent like the loss of a loved one.  Life must continue, and it can be overwhelming.  

BEGINNING AGAIN

When I lost my husband eight months ago, we had just begun building a new home in another state many miles away from where we lived in Maryland.  This was to be our ‘dream’ home; our ‘forever’ home.  Since we’d started, this sudden change has left me with trying to navigate the ‘build’ with little or no experience!  

That said, God knew about Charles’ untimely death.  He knew I would be at this place.  He’s not left me alone.  In fact, He’s been incredibly amazing by putting people in my path who understand the process and can lead me forward.  

From my perspective this is a ‘massive project’ and I often feel overwhelmed.  But even with all the frustration and grief I’ve experienced, God’s got a plan!  I’ve got to trust God to use this whole thing for a bigger purpose—-and for some kind of good, even if it isn’t at all easy!

DIFFICULT TIMES

As we move through difficult times, and unexpected ‘detours’, there is often something God wants to teach us.  Those short scenic detours when traveling I can learn more about the community we are driving through and the detour seems harmless; in fact, usually enjoyable,

Large ones, like the death of a spouse, or other tragedy, it doesn’t seem so ‘positive’!  It’s difficult, overwhelming, sad, frightening, emotional and a host of other descriptive, unsettling words.  A body doesn’t know what to do with it…and maybe that’s part of it.  

LESSONS LEARNED

Maybe what God wants us to see is that trusting him in any situation is paramount.  That to get where he wants us to be, requires understanding how very much eH knows, and how little we do.  

We don’t know, but we keep trying.  Tears may still fall, but we can know with a loving, gentle God holding us, we will get through.  And hopefully, sooner, rather than later, learn the lessons he has for us, and see how He will use, even a ‘permanent detour’ for His good.

Photo Credit: Ocean