My take on the old adage of “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” is simple: “The best laid plans of men often go down the tubes.” I can’t even begin to count (I only have 10 fingers and 10 toes) how many times I have made plans only to watch them fall apart {translated: blow apart}. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not against making plans. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants a lot on a daily basis, but I also know there are times planning definitely needs to happen!
Being a nomad in ministry was never my plan. But it happened. We moved from Grayson, KY (college) to Akron, OH, to Kirkpatrick (Marion),OH, to Massillon, OH, to Fortville, IN, to Danville, OH, to Terre Haute, IN, to Sandusky, OH, to W. Market St in Spencer, IN, to our current address of 563 E. North St to ???? (Well, I hope nowhere else). 🙂 It seems like in a couple of them we no sooner put our stakes down than we were moving our tent again.
There are times God’s plan is clear as a bell, but often it is cloudy at best. Seeing mud would sometimes be clearer. But I do know this: no matter the circumstance, I know God ALWAYS has my best in mind. Always. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.”
My sermon Sunday concludes my short 3 sermon series on “I am Thankful” by being thankful for His Plan. I’m having a special guest Sunday, a dear friend. I don’t want to say “old friend” because he may take that wrong and since he is a Black Belt in TKD…I don’t think so. 🙂 He has some interesting stories to tell about God’s leading when he and his wife moved like a nomad as He opened doors in really amazing ways. Opening one of those doors gave me the privilege of meeting he and his family in 2007. Say a prayer for Ryan (techgeek) Sunday. Thanks.
Plans are good, as long as we’re able to amend them as circumstances change. I’m with you; I’m more about a general guide so it gives flexibility to change when they inevitably do!
Praying for Ryan and you.
You certainly have moved around a lot, Bill! And yes,life (God) happens when we’re making other plans. Thank goodness He knows what’s best for us!
Blessings!
Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” I am so thankful this is true, because God’s plans for us are ALWAYS better than ours. Praying for Ryan!
Wish I could’ve been there to hear that today…that had been “my plan”, lol…this thing called “plans/goals” – they seem to be an illusive irony in my life this past year as they all seem to crumble and change due to circumstances over and over. Beginning to wonder what God thinks of “plans/goals”…life instead seems to consist of needing to “ride by the seat of our pants”, lol…more a thing of an adventure into endless unknowns vs a well-planned map 😊 I would welcome the “well planned map”, but then again I wouldn’t have to choose to daily, moment by moment trust God either. But wow! It would be easier!
Hi Bill! You were in Fortville? I went through there many times on the way to the hospital where two of my grandchildren were born!
Wandering is good, but staying is nice too. I’m sure your church would love for you to stay. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, I’m sure you loved having your good friend with you!
Blessings,
Ceil