This Wasn’t My Plan
It wasn’t what we expected. Kylie, Brennan’s girl friend and I, headed to Austin Airport Friday morning. In just a short while we’d be flying to Cabo del Sol. All was a piece of cake – short lines to get our boarding passes, short lines through security, and plenty of time to be on time for our flight.
But, after 45 minutes of delays, we were onboard and settled in for a short 2-1/2 hour flight to Cabo. Halfway into our flight, the captain was heard: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are not able to regulate the temperature in the aircraft and must turn around and go back to Austin.”
Ugh! And, oh me! I felt particularly sorry for the family of four boys (all under the age of 7) who were already in meltdowns before we boarded the aircraft. This isn’t what they planned!
Five hours later, we were flying to Cabo and arrived at 7:00 pm, five hours later than expected. It was a breeze getting through customs, picked up our luggage and saw our driver with a sign marked WUERCH. A 45-minute drive and we were to our awaiting family.
When I went to change clothes, I realized, my large suitcase didn’t arrive with us, and it was too late to go back to the airport. That night I slept, maybe for 2-1/2 hours. I, who advocate that God gives His beloved sweet sleep, was sleepless. I who urge others to “let go and let God”, wasn’t! I who say “Worry is like a rocking chair. You can be grooving with the rocking, but getting nowhere!”
The next morning, yesterday, a driver took me back to the airport and we found my suitcase waiting for me. Back to the title of this blog: “That wasn’t my plan!” Although, trusting completely in God’s faithfulness is always my goal, there are times when trusting doesn’t come easy, so we need a refresher course.
I am confessing that I know how hard it is to be grateful amid uncertainty. But our Heavenly Father knows exactly where we are and exactly where He desires us to be. God is not deaf to our prayers nor blind to where we’re at. His ways are simply better.
We can be upset that our lives have been disrupted, or we can trust that God is crafting a life for us that is far better than we could ever imagine. Living that life is not always easy, but Christ’s message is simple “Trust me. I’ve got this. I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life.”
Yesterday afternoon I wrote in my journal while reclining on a beach lounger as the crashing waves soothed my soul. The boys were on water bicycles, Ryan was on a surf board, Kylie and Brennan were on wave runners, and I embraced God’s voice as I wrote:
“Last night I had to borrow a t-shirt from Ryan to sleep in and a shirt from Shawntel to wear for my ride back to the airport today. I had no cosmetics to “paint the barn”! What a rough night I had. I didn’t fall asleep until 1:30-ish am. I tried my great “alphabet praying techniques”, but I know the enemy caught me like a fish in a net. My peace was shaken. Lord, please help my faith to be stalwart. I talk the talk, but I want to walk the walk — on water, land, and air! Sheesh!”
My plans were interrupted and so was Jesus the many times when someone interrupted Him. He handled it with finesse! I want that finesse, too! Obviously, I’m still in class and THE TEACHER is still helping me pass the test each day. I know I’m not there yet. I also know God is in control so why don’t I just surrender all and go with the flow of God’s incredible Master Plan? It’s a new day! I’m raising my hand in class again and asking Him to please “PICK ME”!
“I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)