Release Your Plan
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9, ESV
I love to check things off a list, and to see what I have accomplished for the day. I have a daily planner that I use regularly, which makes me feel like I am using the time God has given me in the most productive way possible. I always start with prayer, asking God to direct my path for the day, because ultimately, I am here as His servants.
On Tuesday afternoon I had my calendar blocked off for study time. I just wanted to hear God and study His word. Listen, everything that can, comes to attack that time in my schedule, so I am very guarded over that space. A few weeks ago, after our Tuesday morning exercise class, my husband asked if I could help him get our bikes to the repair shop. I looked at the time and I had just about 3 hours before my appointed study time, so I said okay.
We took the bikes to the shop and proceeded to drop them off, but the repair shop was empty and started working on our bikes immediately. The repair guy put our bikes on the rack and after a quick inspection said, “I’m not going to charge you $240.00 for this service. We can make the adjustments now and there will be little to no cost.” WHAT? I immediately thanked God. We paid nothing for the service but did tip them for their kindness. Because that went so fast, we headed to the Apple store for some service to our phones and a gentleman helped us right away. He showed my husband how to schedule an appointment for troubleshooting phone issues at our home so we would not have to wait! In my mind I’m thinking, “Yes God! I get to go home and have my study time on my schedule!”
I never said a word to my husband about my schedule but was praying to God silently in the car. My husband then suggests we get lunch at a local restaurant. The food at this restaurant is good, but pricey, so I reminded him of our budget and that I already had food at home for the two of us. He offered to use money from his gigs and said that if God was directing us then parking would be available in this special part of the parking lot. While there is usually no parking in this part of the lot, of course there were two parking spaces left when we arrived.
In my heart I just said, “Okay God.” We walked into the restaurant and a beautiful young lady greeted us with a really warm salutation, “Hello beautiful people, welcome.” She then turned to me and told me how much she loved my style. I said, “Thank You”, and we had a brief conversation as she walked us to our seats. I felt in my spirit that God wanted me to say more to her, so I walked back up to the front desk and began to share what God had put on my heart. Listen, God had this place quiet so that I could give her His word. She told me that it took her about 30 minutes or so to get to work and she cried all the way there. She asked God to send one of His angles to encourage her heart. I learned that she had come to California with her boyfriend, and they had gone their separate ways. She is in this state alone not knowing anyone. God gave me time to share with her and encourage her heart. My assignment was at that restaurant - not in my office studying. I had a plan, and it was good, but God had what He wanted, and it was the best!
When we pray for God to have His way, we must be ready to let go and give everything to Him. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Affirmations; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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