The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord
establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
A few years ago my mom and I went on a trip to New York City. The plan was to drive to Atlanta the night before our plane was to leave, spend the night, and fly out early the next morning. When we arrived in Atlanta, my mom realized she didn't have her driver's license. As you know, without proper identification you can't fly. So we quickly called my very sweet husband, Alex, and he decided it best to bring her license to us at our hotel in Atlanta late that night.
All night long my mom kept beating herself up about it. She kept saying how ridiculous it was that she left it and how irresponsible she was. Over and over I continued to tell her to let it go, but she just wouldn't. Meanwhile, Alex secured a babysitter for our three children, picked up my step-dad, Jim, and began the quick trip to Atlanta. All the while, my mom continued to be mad at herself for the mishap!
Finally she said these words to me, "I know that God is in control and everything happens for a reason, for our good and His glory, but how could making Alex and Jim drive all the way to Atlanta be a "good thing"? As she said those words, a thought popped into my head. "Maybe it's not all about us." I told her, "Maybe this little incident has absolutely nothing to do with our family. Maybe we need to think 'outside the box' for a moment."
She looked at me rather perplexed and asked me to explain. "You see, most of the time we are such self-focused creatures, and we don't see the big picture," I told her. "Maybe this mishap was for someone else's good. Maybe our babysitter, Kayla, needed to be at our house that night watching the children rather than somewhere else where she could have been in harm's way. Maybe the guy in the lobby at the hotel needed to hear Jim witness to him about the Lord (which he did!).
So from now on, as you go about your day-to-day activities and those unforeseen events occur, think outside the box and keep in mind that your current situation might have absolutely nothing to do with you. If you let Him, God may use you in His grand plan for the world. And that not only blesses you, but it brings Him lots and lots of glory!
Take a look at the following verses and praise God today for His sovereign care over us!
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to His power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
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