In awe of God’s Plan

Sometimes your plan is not God’s plan for your life. 

About five years ago, when I finished my Master’s degree, I thought I would become a School Administrator. I began walking in that direction and applying for jobs within my district and surrounding districts. Interview after interview produced no new outcome. Countless interviews ended in disappointment and defeat. 

Doors kept shutting in front of me. Sometimes, it seemed like a slammed door—disappointment after disappointment hit me. There were times when I questioned my abilities. There were times when I wondered what was wrong with me. When I sat in prayer, I asked God why that particular job was not right. I kept getting a response that said, “you need to grow. “

What did that mean? 

Grow in my profession?

Grow in my faith?

All I know is that I began to trust that God had a plan for my life. 

Was it easy? NO!

When I prayed for that job to be “the one,” I always concluded with, “But whatever is your will, I will accept. Whatever you have planned is way bigger than I could imagine.”

Well, those jobs were outside of His plan, and there were many of them. 

My Writing Journey

In the midst of all of this, I started to write more. Then, my dad contracted Covid and passed away shortly after. We discussed our love of writing on his final days, and I promised to pursue it. I told him I would continue to tell his story and share his life lessons. 

After he passed away, I joined Hope*Writers and began to take my writing seriously.  My blog was always sacred to me, but I began publicly sharing it. I stepped out of my comfort zone and put myself out there. Something I never thought that I would ever or could ever do. I let people in on my story and the most vulnerable parts of my life. The parts where I had been broken and saved by God’s grace. 

My writing organically grew into something unimaginable, and I considered myself a writer for the first time. 

A year later, I was ready to publish my first children’s book- a tribute to my dad and a dream come true for me. In December 2022, I became a published author. Things that seemed so impossible for years happened in what seemed like such little time. I was in awe of what I saw in God’s plan. 

So my friend, my message to you is:

Do not be discouraged when your plans don’t turn out how you want. Many times there are reasons beyond your understanding. Closed doors lead to bigger and better things. 

Believe

Trust

Walk by faith

Your plan may not be the same as God’s plan. His plan is much bigger than you will expect. So keep trusting in His plan for your life.

“But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on the wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk but not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

What if you stopped trying to control the situation’s outcome and allowed God to be the director? The way God works is beyond your understanding. But, the Lord does love you. He wants what is best for you and works for your good. Sometimes, we do not think whatever we dream or hope can happen. Maybe it can’t if we leave it in our control.  But what if we gave to God? 

“With God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 

 What we think is impossible is possible if we believe and trust in Him. 

My friend, I know it is hard. There is long-suffering and growth that has to happen. And it is God’s timing, not our own. But I do know that He wants you to prosper. He wants you to succeed. But, He is not going to make it easy. He is going to stretch you. He will expect you to step out of your comfort zone in ways you never thought you could. 

Growth was part of God’s plan

I return to that gentle nudge, “ You need to grow.” 

This journey has pushed me so far out of my comfort zone.

 Failure happened. 

 I have made mistakes. 

Doubt filled my head. 

 Fear invaded my space.

 But I persevered. 

I have grown so much more than I could ever believe possible. 

This journey I started five years ago has taken many unexpected turns that I would never have thought possible. When God said, “Grow,” I did not imagine He meant this. The path went in such a different direction than where I thought it would go.

Earlier this month, when I had my first book signing and Author’s Day, I could only praise God for making this happen. The trust, belief, and faith I carried through each rejection, failure, and slammed door made sense now. 

I know that I have yet to reach the final destination. God will continue to push me and ask me to grow. I know He has so much more planned that is beyond my level of comprehension. But all the glory be to God for what He has done so far. 

My friend, 

Trust in His timing. 

What may seem like a long journey is preparing you and helping you to grow. 

It will allow you to become the best version of yourself.