I have made many plans over the years but, many times, I did not end up in the place where I thought I would.

How many times has that happened to you, my reader?

You choose to go left and suddenly something happens and you end up going to the right.

Most of the time, I have found, that where I ended up is often better than where I had planned in the first place.

Perhaps it has to do with timing…

But….I think maybe it has to do with something more.

Proverbs 16:9 states this~

A man’s mind plans his way as he journeys through life, but the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

I read a quote today that I found to be quite profound when thinking along this rabbit trail of thought today:

“DISTANCE YOURSELF FOR A BIT AND YOU WILL REALIZE A LOT.”

There is so much truth in that simple statement, isn’t there?

The view from the top of the mountain you just climbed can show the better part of the whole journey…at least the entire part of where you came from. Suddenly, with hindsight helping your perspective, you can see why you are where you are by looking at how you got there in the first place.

I think of the “simple” plan made ages ago to move to Kalamazoo for college. I met a guy while I lived there that I tried to force into becoming THE ONE.

Ladies, forcing it does not make true love happen.

I had the opportunity to “follow Mr. Wrong” to Lansing and interviewed for my first real job as an RN at the hospital I am currently employed.

Instead of moving, though, I made the wise choice to stay in Kalamazoo to work at the hospital I had been trained… ultimately,I was giving myself space and distance to see how much of a Mr. Wrong this chap really was.

That realization showed me what I wanted in a mate, what I needed in a partner, and how I deserved to be treated in a relationship…

My eyes were opened to recognize Mr. Right. I met Dan less than a year later after breaking up with Mr. Wrong….the difference between Mr. Wrong and Mr. Right are astronomical!!

Now became the time to move to Lansing because Dan was the key to the right time NOT that other guy.

The Lord knew best how to place my steps even though I thought I had made a plan.

The choice to marry Dan introduced me to a sister I always dreamed of having…However, loving and then losing her forever changed my life.

Here I was again at a pinnacle crossroads…

We had gone to a local church after 911 occurred out of my fear of the apparent end of days. We went one time. We liked it, but we only went once.

BUT, when we had our first born in 2003, we decided we should at least try to teach him the real meaning behind major holidays so, of course, the only church we knew to go to was the one we had attended that one time in 2001.

Thus setting the stage for me to have a place to turn in 2010 when I was grieving the devastating loss of our sister…

The Lord places our steps…

Going to church in my grief showed me who Christ really is. Coming to know and follow Jesus transformed my heart, every future dream, and desires.

I was changed dramatically.

To be honest, that was never my plan. Looking back though, having some distance, has revealed quite a bit about the Lord’s character and gentle plan for my life.

With every challenge we have faced since that choice to live for Jesus, my marriage has grown stronger,my hope more alive, my optimism more passionate, my joy even deeper.

My plan was to be a good wife, mom, nurse, daughter, and friend…

The Lord’s plan was to use every ounce that made me, broke me, and restored me for His glory in every possible way.

The way before me may not be entirely clear, but my steps have been established by the One who goes before, behind, and next to me.

My prayer is that I will remember all that in times of doubt, confusion, hurt, or uncertainty and that you would also have the same assurance.