The best laid plans...

The Best Laid Plans
Proverbs 16:9  In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
 
Midnight of December 31, 2019 signaled the end of one year and the beginning of the next year. I was so excited! Vision board complete. Goals for 2020 written. 2020 Planner purchased. This was the beginning of a great year!
 
But 2020 came in like a whirlwind. Kobe and his baby girl, Gianna and their friends died, a Tornado tore up Nashville and then COVID-19 made her entrance into the United States. In an instant all of our plans for 2020 went out the door. The year that many of us proclaimed to be the best year of our lives; the year of vision; the year of abundance, suddenly turned into the twilight zone as staying at home, distancing ourselves from our loved ones, not touching and hugging, and hoarding food and toilet paper became our new normal.  
 
The scripture today, reminds us that we can make plans, but the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9). I am a planner. I have a planner that is color-coded for each type of event in my life. Work activities are colored in green. Purple shaded areas are for Birthdays. Anything that is highlighted Pink represents activities for San’s Child, Inc. I have a system. I don’t like not having a plan.
 
I have been anticipating summer since October. As the young people say, “I was going to live my best life.” The summers are for rest and renewal, while many vacation or staycation, others take the time to replenish their savings accounts or pay off bills by working part time jobs. Whatever we choose, you can bet your bottom dollar that by January, most people are already planning for June and July. 
 
However, this year most of us were stopped in our tracks as the Coronavirus - COVID-19 marched through the country demanding our attention. And at attention, we stood. For the past few weeks, the world has stopped and life as we know it has changed drastically. One of my summer trips has already been canceled. I am waiting to see what happens with the other ones. I had a few activities planned for, San’s Child, Inc. for March and April. They have been tweaked and adjusted to accommodate our new normal.  
 
A friend of mine had to cancel her March wedding, another friend canceled her move from Jacksonville, FL to Nashville. Graduations have been rescheduled. Vacations have been canceled. Dentist, doctor appointments and surgeries have been delayed. Birthday plans, Dinner plans, parties and get togethers all had to be postponed. So many of our plans have been interrupted by this “virus”.
 
But honestly, I think we are giving the virus too much credit. You know nothing can happen without God’s permission? Remember when satan wanted to test Job and see if he would denounce God and turn away when all his possessions and family were taken and then his health deteriorated? Remember, that satan had to go to God and ask for permission. God is not surprised by the Coronavirus, nor is He shaken. He still sits on the throne. I can’t help but to wonder if our plans have been adjusted and interrupted on “purpose”. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” God’s purpose MUST go forth.  “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).
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During this period God has adjusted many of our plans. We are truly relying on our “Daily Bread”. We are forced to trust and lean on the ONE who knows tomorrow and holds tomorrow. For us over thinkers and over planners, this time can be quite scary, but this is the time to lean in to God, our Father, all the more.

God is not against planning. The ants planned and stored food (Proverbs 6:6-8). Builders planned (Luke 14:28-30). Joseph planned strategically for the famine in Egypt (Genesis 41). The virtuous woman worked hard, spent wisely and planned (Proverbs 31). God is not against our planning. Planning is a necessity. Proverbs 13:16 says that a wise man thinks ahead. Our fault is that we plan, but we don’t inquire of God what His plans are for us. But if we commit to the Lord whatever we do, He will establish our plans (Proverbs 16:3).

It wasn’t until later in life that I started asking God for His plans for my life. You know Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” So why not ask the one who knows His plans? I encourage you to submit your plans, goals and dreams to God.
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2020 is not over yet and God is still on the throne. Plan, Dream, and Write down your plans and then step away and wait for God to adjust them to fit His purpose. One thing I know for sure is that He will WOW you. He will go above and beyond (exceeding, abundantly) your plans. (Ephesians 3:20)
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God’s purposes outweigh our plans. Give your plans to God and Live in the Red! ~ Loved and Forgiven.
 
#Loved
#Forgiven
#GivingGodOurPlans

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