The mind of a person plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
It’s been a bit of a roller coaster of a week. I spent a significant portion of every day this past week in a doctor’s office. Undergoing tests and treatments in an attempt to address nutrient deficiencies before I give birth on Thursday. Then we got news that my father-in-law was being taken to the hospital and was admitted to the ICU for a mystery illness. And lo and behold, a day or two later, my husband wakes up with a cough.
When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned
In the end, everything is working out. I completed my treatments, my husband turned out to just have allergies, and while my father-in-law was in serious condition for a bit and still has a lot of recovery ahead of him, he has improved significantly, and we are so thankful. But it has made for a very hectic and unpredictable week.
The plan had originally been that I spend as much time at home finishing up the nursery and preparing the house as possible, but as curveballs came flying our way, plans morphed. The result was a house that is still a good bit messier than I would like, but we got to spend the weekend with family instead of cleaning the house.
God’s Timing vs My Timing: A Look Back at My Own Story
Looking back, I see this same pattern all through my life. I planned to be married by 22, but I didn’t even meet my husband until 27. As a result, I spent a lot of time learning about who I was and what I wanted in a spouse.
I planned on having kids by 25, but it didn’t happen until 34. There is part of me that is sad that I didn’t get to have kids sooner, but I also know that I’ve learned a lot in that time, and I wouldn’t be nearly as good a mother without having learned those lessons.
Then there are the curveballs I didn’t expect. Like I never planned to become a writer. I never planned…and sometimes actively planned not to…write a book. I also didn’t plan to become a teacher. I didn’t plan on going to college in Mississippi. There’s a lot I never planned on, but God directed my steps that way. Either with my consent and cooperation or without. And I can honestly say that I’ve always ended up being grateful when I get to the point where I can look back and see how God was working.
What Proverbs 16:9 Really Says About God Directing Our Steps
They say that if something is repeated in Scripture, we need to pay extra close attention. In that case, we might need to hang this one on the wall because over the course of the chapter, Solomon records the same basic sentiment three different times: we might think we have it all planned out, but God’s the one who’s really in control.
He’s directed my steps to get me where I am, and He is going to continue to direct my steps as my husband and I walk into this new, rather unpredictable season of life. That is so comforting to me. I have years of memories built up that testify to how God has always been guiding me and how He has always led me in a direction that was ultimately for my good. So I can be confident that this time will be no different.
Whether you’re in a time of uncertainty and unpredictability or are enjoying a period of peace, we can still cling to this truth that God is guiding our steps together. I hope that this week, as I prepare to give birth to my first child, you’ll join me in preparing for whatever God has in store for you by remembering all the ways He’s guided your steps in the past.
What Comes Next: Staying Connected Through This New Season
For the month of July, I’ll be taking a break from my blog to focus on caring for my daughter and healing. Only God knows what steps we’ll take from there. I may need August too, or I may not. We’ll see! To keep up to date with what’s going on with me, my family, and my writing journey, subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Plus, you’ll get a free copy of my 7-day devotional on building intimacy in your relationship with God!
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