I worked diligently, almost obsessively, all weekend to bring order to my kitchen and dining room. I stayed up late, since hubby was out of town, to finish and start the week with a fresh new look. I wanted everything to have a place and everything be in its place for my new week.
My whole week was certainly going to be improved with the fresh, new look.
My attitude would certainly be much improved as I was surrounded by beauty and order.
My kids' attitudes would surely be improved as they worked in serene, picturesque, magazine-worthy setting. Doesn't outward tranquility produce inward tranquility?
My husband would return to the transformed house and praise me endlessly.
I guess not.
My first phone call was a recorded message at 6am informing me my husband's flight home had been cancelled. My 7am call was my hubby. My 8am phone call was Servicemaster, they were coming to fix the water damage. Remember, I was up almost till 2am.
You might remember our wondrous welcome home after a week vacation in California. Our kitty was accidentally left inside for a week and our dishwasher leaked. All the way to the bedroom below. Yea, double OOPS.
I got a fresh new look in my kitchen, alright.
They set up their equipment and my vision of my orderly home was clouded by the obnoxious noise of fans and motors.
Everything has a NEW place.
My husband was on an ice-fishing trip with son, Boy Wonder. They planned to fly home early on Monday to arrive before rush hour traffic and spend a nice quiet evening with family. He wanted to return to work on Tuesday rested.
He didn't count on a major storm blowing through the midwest and cancelling their flight and their rescheduled flight. The guys caught the last flight home, arriving after midnight to a very disorderly house.
We all have plans. We all have good plans. Our Monday was nothing like we planned. We had good plans.
Sometimes we get Bible verses confused with wishing stars. We put human understanding and reasoning where faith, trust and the Lord's will should prevail.
Proverbs 16:3, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
We can be fooled into thinking that if we make plans, good plans with good motives, pray about it, it will happen just that way. Sometimes it does. Most of the time it doesn't. Did we do anything wrong?
No. Let's go a few verses ahead.
Verse 9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
It doesn't mean we get our way. It means, plans succeed because the Lord's will is done.
He just might have a better plan.
A plan that includes temporary inconveniences and changed human plans.
A plan that includes teaching a saint
to be thankful in all things,
to pray in all things,
to rejoice in all things,
to worship in all things.
A plan that includes
conforming a saint to the image of Christ,
burning away dross,
building endurance,
perfecting faith
and causing them to draw nearer
to His Precious bleeding side.
We sing the songs,
we pray the prayers,
we sometimes just fail to see
how His plans are succeeding in our life.
Don't we say, "Not MY will, but THY will, Oh Lord." Do we mean it?
On Monday, our plans succeeded, because our day went according to His plans for our lives. I don't have to know WHY my dishwasher leaked or why the flights were cancelled.
In some ways, the day went smoother than most Mondays. We got school done early. The laundry was done. Some shopping was done. The lack of physical order in our home didn't affect us, just inconvenienced us. We worked around it, thankful the damage was being repaired. We were thankful the guys were safe, even though they would be in an airport for several extra hours.
On Monday, I planned my course, but the Lord determined my steps.
My whole week is certainly going to be improved with the fresh, new
My attitude would certainly be much improved as I was surrounded by
My kids' attitudes would surely be improved as they worked in serene,
My husband would return to the transformed
Because, I understand, as much as I LOVE organization,
it isn't really the physical order in my home that gives me peace,
it's abiding faithful
on the path
the God of all peace
has ordered for my life.
Has the Lord ever changed your plans for His?
I love your (or His) adjusted plans. ;-)
ReplyDeleteA great reminder, thank you!
I was just pondering this this morning as well as I read in Psalm 127:1,2:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,the watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
His plan is always the best one.
Thanks again!
~Erin
This was a great post and one I needed to hear today.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have had a BAD day. Things are not going well. But I need to remember that God is determining my steps, not me.
Thank you for this post.
And, yes he changes my course all the time. :)
Mindy, you wouldn't believe how God used your blog to even further drive home a point he's been trying to make to me today -- or maybe you would. It is God's time, God's will, and God's way. Thank you for helping God get his message through to me LOUD and CLEAR!
ReplyDeletehahahah....laughing at your last few words. As my whole life has been totally changed by God...and continues to be daily;-)
ReplyDeletebless you friend.
Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
Your post was great, but what I really appreciated today was the advice on my blog. Dustin is the head. Sometimes I forget that. I'm learning to listen to him more and more, but your reminder was timely. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read your news.
ReplyDeleteIt's a rollercoaster ride that does not end after a minute and a half.
I can hear how much your faith comforts you and I am glad for you.
I do not know how I would cope if I did not believe in God and in His ultimate love and caring for us. I trust Him and know He has His reasons.
Even so, it is hard.