“Trust in the Lord with your whole heart, and lean not on your own understanding. And in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5 & 6
A conversation with my daughter a few weeks ago began with the opening statement of “I told everyone not to tell you so I could surprise you, but I just know that I’m going to blow the surprise myself, so I’m just letting you know right now that I’m coming home for Mother’s Day.”
Of course my heart was thrilled to hear this information, and I truly appreciate the “heads up” when company is arriving. However, this particular journey still provided a tremendous element of surprise, but the recipient of this sense of shock ended up affecting my daughter this time instead of me!
It was the day of her flight so she was trying to be proactive and responsible. Knowing that she had to leave for the airport immediately after work, she had planned ahead and was not only fully packed but also had placed her suitcase as well as her dog’s mini suitcase in the car. Her boyfriend had offered to drive her to the airport, but when she went to pick him up, she quickly discovered that there were no available parking spots on the street. As a result, she parked in an adjacent lot across the street from his residence.
Running into his condo to grab a quick bite to eat before dashing to the airport, the pair ate and then quickly bolted back outside to the car only to find IT WAS GONE! Staring in disbelief, she kept looking around in hopes that this was just a brief period of amnesia and the car was going to reappear in any minute. Finally, reality set in and she realized that where she had selected to park was a tow zone, and during her brief meal, a tow truck had captured the car and it’s contents, and hauled it away.
Have you ever faced a similar detour regarding your plans? You were all prepared, and then in a blink of an eye things abruptly changed! Perhaps it was not a towed car, but maybe it was an unexpected test result that warranted a doctor’s phone call or a canceled flight. Maybe the flu appeared at your house as an unwanted guest just before a large birthday party that then required cancellation? Possibly you’ve heard the words “We are forced to eliminate positions and yours is one of them”? Or perhaps it was an unexpected injury that required surgery as well a period of disability from work?
Scripture warns us in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have troubles. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” In this passage, God is warning us that life is going to have difficulties and challenges, but have peace because He is bigger and more powerful than any circumstance that we may face.
A few weeks ago, our family had an unexpected medical situation occur with a beloved member of our family. Yesterday, as I was driving my four-year-old granddaughter to school, she brought this situation up during our conversation and told me that her mommy was crying when she heard the family member was sick. Then Emilia professed, “So I told her to take a couple of deep breaths and pray to God and He will make things better.” I honestly thought my grandma’s heart was going to explode from joy as my four-year-old granddaughter professed her faith and trust with that very simple, yet powerful statement. And just as Emilia declared, God answered these prayers in the way we had hoped, and this family member is now doing extremely well!
Our God is all powerful. He will make ways when there seems to be no ways!
Have a wonderful week knowing that He is in control of your life!
In Jesus’ Love,
Mrs. Palka