Devotional: Be Flexible or Be Miserable

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

This verse popped into my mind this morning.  We were scheduled to travel to Kennewick today so my husband could attend a work meeting.  Last night I had carefully planned out what I would take with me to do while I waited out the five hours at the pubic library.  I put together a big thermos of Chai Tea and made my lunch and set my alarms to get up early.

I did not sleep very good, so when the alarm went I wasn't thrilled about getting up, but I did anyway and began looking forward to kicking back at the Kennewick library. Then my husband told me we were not going because he slept lousy.  

At first I was disappointed and annoyed. I got up early for nothing. I had taken the time to plan and pack ahead yesterday.  I was really looking forward to a day "off" from regular household chores and meal prep.  I really do like my Kennewick days for that reason.  So I had to adjust my attitude and my schedule accordingly.  Man plans, but God directs.

So here I am.  Sitting at my computer writing my weekly devotional (which should have been done yesterday, but I was lazy and then went out and had fun with friends instead and then got things ready for the trip).  I'm still trying to shift gears so this day is not wasted.  I don't know why God decided to direct our plans in a different direction, but He did, so I need to roll with it.  

It's so easy when we have made our plans, and God directs our steps in a different direction, to get bent out of shape, especially if we have put some time and effort into our original plan, or if we are really looking forward to what we have planned.  Sometimes I wonder if God changes our plans on us to teach us to be flexible and adjust our attitudes to be more godly?

There is a saying that goes like this:  Be flexible or be miserable.  When I beat my head against what God has directed, it makes me miserable. The key is to make my plans, but hold them loosely so if God directs another way, I do not soak and sour.