And yet, how often do I chafe at God's plans when they are not MY plans? I love this verse as long as His plans line up with what I hope and want for my life, and more particularly, my children's lives. But, boy, when His plans seem to be diverging and missing MY mark, then I can so quickly act like a spoiled child, fussing and fretting that things are not working out the way I had hoped or dreamed. Surely this could not be Your plan, Lord, we cry out when illness or injury blindside us. Surely You are mistaken this time, Lord, when our child doesn't get into the right school or makes the wrong kinds of friends or takes an unexpected detour. How on earth could this be the best way, Lord, when finances crumble or relationships struggle or life disappoints.
Yesterday a little sparrow inexplicably found his way into our kitchen through a window I had cracked open to let in the cool, sweet smelling outdoors air. Honestly, I cannot figure out how he managed to navigate such an insignificant little opening, but he did. (And if my 14 year old son had not come home, that little fellow might still be desperately flying around our kitchen! My daughter and her friends and I managed only to shriek and run away in fear as if that tiny little sparrow was going to peck us to death!) I wonder what he found so alluring about our kitchen that he determined to sneak in through that cracked window? He had all of the freedom and beauty of a warm spring day outside, yet that little bird somehow figured that life would be better in that mysterious place on the other side of the glass. Sadly, as soon as he found his way in, he discovered that what looked like a utopia, was actually a terrifying prison, full of big scary people running and screaming. He futilely flew into the windows again and agin in a desperate attempt to get back outside to the freedom God had planned for and given him.
We cranked all the windows wide open, and opened both kitchen doors to the outside, but even so, the little guy confusedly flew away from us and into walls and furniture--everywhere but the one place God has provided for him with everything he needed: the out of doors. Finally, after much gentle coaxing and patient directing, our son got the frantic bird outside. I can only imagine his relief and joy as his wings beat at the open air and sunshine. God had a perfect plan for that little sparrow, and while he might have thought our kitchen looked like a far better idea, God's plans were ultimately the best, pleasing and perfect (in the words of Romans).
How often are we that little bird--sure that somehow God is holding out on us and that His plans simply cannot compare to the bigger and better dreams we harbor for ourselves or for those we love. But His Word promises us that His plans are for our ultimate best and His ultimate glory. He promises that "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28). Psalms tells us over and over that God is good and faithful and loving and kind and all His ways are perfect.
I could go on and on, but the bottom line is--will we trust God and His Word or will we trust in ourselves and our fleeting feelings? When things don't go our way, will we choose to trust that the God who sees all, knows all, and can do all has the best plan or will we insist on trusting in our limited vision and plans? Trusting in God and His plans results in peace and joy, for no matter the outcome, our faith is in Him and His absolute faithfulness. Trusting in ourselves, well, that's pretty much a recipe for bitterness and anxiety and frustration.
I have seen it over and over again in my life, and how I thank the Lord that despite the fact I am such a slow learner, He still doesn't give up on me! Our oldest daughter is about to graduate from college in a few days, and His plan for her has been so perfect--she has absolutely loved college, her friendships, her involvement in young life, her classes.... It has been a joyous 4 years, and all I can simply do is thank our God of extravagant grace for putting her there!
So when it came time for our 2nd child to go to college, our plan was for him to go to the same school. Surely that would be the best plan, we thought, and we had a million reasons supporting our hopes for him. But that was not God's plan. How well I remember our disappointment and confusion when God's plans didn't track with our plan. I wept when we dropped him off at this strange new school that seemed so far away, so different, so difficult, so uncertain. What on earth was God up to?
But, as Elizabeth Elliott always said, "With acceptance lies peace." We chose to accept and trust that which at first we could not see or understand. And God has blessed him at that school abundantly beyond anything we could have ever hoped or imagine. It has not been the easiest road for him, but it has, beyond a shadow of a doubt, been the best. We now thank God for this wonderful place that the Lord handpicked for our son and that, like it was for our daughter, has proven to be such an example of His undeserved grace and goodness. I so often think of that desperate father asking Jesus to heal his son--"Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!" Lord, we believe, and we trust, but help us with all our unbelief and with our changeable, wandering hearts!
God's best for our daughter was at one school, and we thank Him and praise Him. And God's best for our son was somewhere completely different, and we likewise thank Him and praise Him. Like that little bird, what our eyes can see and what we dream for may not be for our ultimate good. But when we choose to trust His plans, even when they seem incomprehensible or hard, we will fly in the freedom of peace and joy that comes from being right in the midst of His will.
So Lord, help us and help our precious children and college graduates to fly, help them to soar as they trust in You and Your plans and Your ways. Forgive us for so often living lives of cramped anxiety and frustration and bitterness because we want our own way and that way appears so inviting and pleasant... but always results in disappointment and distress. The wide blue sky of Your perfect plans and dreams for each of Your children beckons. O Lord, help them to fly with joyful trust and hopeful dependence upon You, the One who died to secure for every one of us an eternal and perfect and glorious future in heaven... forever and ever and ever. So to You be the glory!
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