Isaiah 55:8-13
This plan of mine is not what you
would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as
the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours,
and my thoughts than yours.
As the rain and snow come down from
heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain
to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so
also is my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It shall
accomplish all I want it to and prosper everywhere I send it. You will
live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the
field—all the world around you—will rejoice. Where once were thorns, fir
trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up.
This miracle will make the Lord’s name very great and be an everlasting
sign of God’s power and love.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
In the early 1950s, a man
and his wife were expecting a baby…their third child. These parents of
two boys - ages 9 and 5 - were hoping for a girl this time around.
Instead, they were blessed with a dark-haired, brown-eyed boy. God’s
plan and theirs were just a tad different! And as the wife of this
“third boy”, I am incredibly glad!
See, God already knew that
Greg and I would marry. Even though I would not even enter this world
for another three years, He was planning the events that would bring us
together. He was orchestrating the details of the move from Iowa to
Arkansas that would eventually bring Greg’s family to my home town.
Believe it or not, we didn’t even really know each other until Greg’s
senior year of high school…even though we lived in a very small town
with a population of roughly 2500. To think that God brought us
together at that time in our lives indicates to me His intention for us!
Stop
and think about the people and events that have come together to form
your life. Haven’t you ever wondered, “Why did I meet this person?” or
“How did this happen?” Why do families move thousands of miles and
become part of the fabric of another community and state? Think of the
times you have said “I didn’t expect this, but I couldn’t imagine my
life any other way now.” When we are young, we picture our lives and
the events that will frame them, and “life” almost never turns out that
way. We don’t anticipate significant changes – both good and bad. We
cannot begin to name all of the people who will enter – and depart from –
our lives. We don’t know what successes and triumphs we will
experience…or what tragedies and losses will befall us. I often say
that when I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming an architect…or a
ballerina…and you can see how well this worked for me!
God has
perfect plans for us. He knows who our parents will be…where we will
live…what will happen to us every single second of every day…and He will
be with us every step of the journey. And the most beautiful part is
that God is not done when our earthly life ends…He will continue to
orchestrate our future and walk with us in heaven, as well. I am so
grateful that I am a creation of such a powerful, loving God. And I am
learning to trust His plans for my life – in all things. I don’t
understand it all…a lot of what happens is more than I can wrap my brain
around and digest. But I trust Him. I feel His presence. God is with
me, and I know that He is planning my every step. MY JOB is to
pay attention - and to follow Him…to trust in His wisdom and power…to
listen for His voice …and to be faithful and obedient!
May 1st
is a day that I celebrate enthusiastically. I am so glad that God chose
Greg to be my companion and mate. I am even more grateful that He has
guided my steps most of my own 56+ years. There were moments when I
thought I knew more than He and tried to do things my way – with mostly
miserable results! But I am growing in my relationship with
Him…recognizing His presence alongside me more and more…and trusting His
guidance.
What about you? Have you truly found God? Do you
understand His presence in your life…and do you trust His leadership and
direction? Take some time today to reflect on the events of your
life. Recognize God’s loving, caring hand in all of the circumstances
that make up your time on this earth…and trust His plans for your
future. Make every day a celebration because God is with you -
and you know it! Learn to appreciate the signs and miracles of God’s
everlasting love…and revel in His continual presence.
God may not always give you the desires of your heart…at least not as you envisioned them…but He will
do what is best and perfect! Today, I am celebrating God’s wisdom and
incredible love…and the fact that the third Robus baby was NOT a girl!
What will you celebrate?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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