Hello readers!
I've missed writing. I realize that I could have made more time for it, but I also realize that I always think I "could have" done something to change the outcome of undesirable plans. My assumption couldn't be farther from the truth. If it was that easy, I could have been married, wealthy, and permanently vacationing by now if I had played my cards right. But things happen because God makes them happen; I'm just the vessel.
The last week of July, I had been planning on discharging my dad from the hospice where he was staying. He had been receiving radiation treatment at a hospital about an hour from where I live with my mother and stepfather, so the hospital conveniently transported him from a nearby nursing home to the hospital daily. Every day I called and checked on him to make sure he was in high spirits and getting whatever he needed, but it had been on my heart to take care of him myself once his treatment period ended. (I'm his only child and nearby family member). Long story short, my family and I made preparations so that my dad would be able to leave the nursing home. Then on the day before he was scheduled to arrive, an unexpected call came.
My dad passed away that morning.......my heart was shattered... A million thoughts raced through my mind, but I repeated in my head and aloud, he was supposed to come home. Key words: supposed to.
I had made phone calls, I had gone to check on him, I had cleaned up the room he would stay in. I kept thinking there's no way he could just die like that. I had seen him days before. He was excited about his new home. Never had I seen this coming.
It's funny how we, humans, think that when we arrange something it is supposed to happen. But in reality, there is no way everything can go according to plan. For that to happen, everyone on earth would have to have the same plans so that no one contradicts another- that's definitely impossible. Even beyond that, God tells and shows us that He is in control. A well known Proverb (16:9) says,
"The mind of man plans
his way, But the LORD directs his steps."
Whether one believes in Christ or not, everyone knows that nothing always goes according to planned. However, it is important to believe in His truth. It's evident that God is ALWAYS in control. We cannot interrupt or alter His plan, even if our intentions are good and we may think it's what God wants. I certainly thought that God gave me the green light to take my dad in and care for him, and though there was nothing morally wrong about that- God had other intentions. Another significant verse on this topic is 1 Corinthians 2:11.
"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the
man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except
the Spirit of God."
Basically, no man is meant to fully comprehend the ways of God. Our little bit of insight can still be insignificant in the grand scheme of God's will. We are the created; He is the Creator, so we need to remember that everything is up to Him.
My point is, we take our freedom to make plans for granted. Just because we think and then act on our thoughts does not mean we are independent of divine intervention. God will always have the final say, not that He wants to ruin our dreams, but God's infinite wisdom qualifies Him to make better things happen than we can even imagine. No one can ever go wrong trusting God with their life. That is a fact.
As I come to a conclusion, I want you to remember that everything has a divine purpose- not just an earthly purpose. Both celebratory and unfortunate events happen for a purpose beyond what we see on earth. It has a spiritual impact on us, those who witnessed it, and even those who didn't, who may hear about it or experience the divine aftermath. How amazing is that?! God is good! He knows exactly what we need. Right now you may feel pain, but that pain may be molding you into a conqueror. (I tell myself this as well.) I fully entrust God with my life. Do you?
