Not What I Planned

Proverbs 16

Verse 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Do you ever have plans and they do not work out?  The last two weeks have been like that for me.  At the beginning of this month, I went to my doctor for my asthma.  She gave me Advair to use every day and it seemed to help.  Mother’s Day I enjoyed going up on Rib Mountain with my camera and capturing some beautiful photos.  The fresh air was wonderful.  I felt I was getting better.  I continued to struggle with certain smells like cigarette smoke, strong chemicals, and certain flowers but I was starting to feel better.  Until ten days ago.  I woke up with a cough that Monday morning.  Nothing I tried made it go away.  I thought it was my asthma, so I went to work.  That was the last day I worked.

Dentist Plans

I had plans last week to go to the dentist.  I have an ever-widening gap between two of my teeth and I think it is a cavity.  I was going to see about getting it filled since it is always getting food stuck there and I must floss constantly.  By the way, I hate going to the dentist.  As a child my mom did not enforce good dental hygiene.  Whenever we would go to the dentist, he would yell at me for no taking care of my teeth.  It was traumatic and it carried on through my adulthood.  These days I have finally developed good dental hygiene but with a cost.  I have several problem teeth.  Yet, I am finally making plans to fix it.  But God had other plans.

Work Plans

On Tuesday of last week, I was too sick to go to work, so I called in.  I had Wednesday off, and I thought ‘it’s just a cold, I will be fine’.   But I was not.  By Thursday I felt like I had COVID again.    I was supposed to go to work that day, but I went to the clinic for a COVID test instead.  So much for working.  I needed the income on my paycheck because rent is coming due on the first of June.  I filed for a paid leave of absence and waited for the test results.

Friday brought a negative test result.  I was so thankful for this, but I did not even feel up to taking a shower let along going out to shop for things I needed.  Later in the day I learned my paid leave was approved but would it be soon enough so I would get paid for the days I missed?  I was worried about my plans to pay rent and my other bills.  I tried to put everything in God’s Hands and leave it there but I still worried.

Shopping Plans

Saturday, I felt well enough for a much-needed shower.  Yet afterwards I needed a nap before I could do anything else.  I ventured out to go to the store for a lawn chair and other things I needed.  My cat was out of wet cat food.  The lawn chair was in hopes I was well enough to go to church and the picnic afterwards.  I stopped at my local grocery store and got a few things.  By the time I got home I was exhausted, and I knew my plans for the church picnic was out.

Church Picnic Plans

My church had planned a nice picnic with many outdoor activities.  However, it was a rainy day.  God sent the heaviest rain right at the time the outdoor activities were to take place.  Not what the church planned at all.  I do not know how the picnic turned out.  I hope everyone had a good time in the large fellowship room. 

Medical Plans

I had hoped to go back to work Monday but I still was not any better, so I stayed home and rested.  By Tuesday, yesterday, I decided it was time for me to seek medical help.  I wanted so much to avoid going to the doctor but nothing else I tried seemed to be working to get over this cold.  My doctor prescribed another round of steroids.  My plan is to go back to work tomorrow now that I have the right medicine to help me.

This past week and a half I planned to get so much done but God had other plans for me.  I kept asking why God had me home during this time.  My friend said maybe it is bonding time for me and my cat.  I think he may be right since my cat who spent his first two weeks at my apartment in hiding during the day now actually comes into my room when I am laying on my bed. 

God’s Plan

God’s plan turned out to provide for me financially and to help my kitty start to trust me more.  Not what I had planned, but this is far better.  Verse three of this chapter says, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed”.   Now I need to commit my plans to Him and not worry whether they will work out or not.  Are your plans God’s plans?

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