The Lord Directs Our Steps in a Change of Plans

“The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

Dear Kids,
Developing a plan and seeing your idea through creates deep satisfaction. For example, when you organize an event, cover all the details, and then see it come to fruition the experience is so fulfilling and rewarding. But how about when you set the schedule and complete all the preparation only to have mitigating circumstances change the outcome? In this case, God’s children must remember and trust that although we make our plans, the Lord directs our steps.

A Disappointing Change of Plans

It had been two years in the making. Dad and I agreed to participate in a mission trip to Costa Rica and as the plans took shape our excitement grew. Everything was in place and we had a countdown of four days until our departure when we got some plan altering news.

The return of university students to our small town brought with it a rise in COVID cases and along with many others, Abigail developed symptoms and tested positive. We realized with this turn of events that we must change our plans for her sake as well as our own since we had now been exposed. None of these glitches was anyone’s fault; they just occurred and couldn’t be helped.

So we cancelled our trip, wondering a little about the timing. Why would God have us go through all our detailed preparations only to have us cancel the trip at the very last moment? But we were soon to find out.

The Lord Directs Our Steps

Within days Grandpa also came down with COVID symptoms that soon developed into pneumonia. Since Grandma doesn’t drive I was available and on call to run errands and take him to treatments. Over the course of the next week Grandpa was admitted to the hospital and I was free to stay with him in a time when hospital regulations only allowed one visitor per hospital stay. On September 7^th, the day Dad and I would have been returning from our trip, Grandpa went home to be with the Lord while I sat by his side.

As I pondered all of the difficult events of the twelve days Dad and I had planned to be in Costa Rica I marveled at God’s goodness in directing our steps. All along, while we were making our plans, God was directing us to clear our schedules for the events that were to occur. I can’t tell you how this thought comforted me in a time of sadness and sorrow.

God’s Foreknowledge Created Space in Our Lives

God knew the trials ahead and allowed us to develop our plans knowing full well we would never make it to our intended destination. Yet the process created space for all we would need to do in that specific time frame. We made our plans to travel, but the Lord directed our steps so we would be available for something more important.

It is confusing and sometimes discouraging if our well-laid out plans fall through. But I am very thankful that as God’s children, we need never second guess a change of events. God is in charge of every detail of our lives and He never makes mistakes. So go ahead and plan your way, but take comfort: the Lord is the One Who directs your steps.

Love,

Mama