Many Are The Plans of Man
During the 4th of July Holiday, my family took a sixteen-hour drive to visit my husband’s relatives in Philadelphia, PA. This reunion was was twenty-three years in the making as he has not seen his Father’s side of the family since his passing in 1996. My husband has been longing to connect with his family. This was also my first time meeting my husband’s family in the six years that we’ve been married.
My family is mostly based in Tampa where we live and each holiday, my husband has endured my families token stories and other quirks, all while wanting the same things with his own family.
My husband had many questions about his father and his relationship with his mother, and his siblings as well. Unfortunately, my husband received answers to his questions. It left him at peace, yet perplexed at the same time. He didn’t understand why he didn’t grow up in the type of family dynamic he’s always longed for. He questioned why God allowed him to go through so many things as a child.
The truth is, my deceased father-in-law did not want my also deceased mother-in-law to remain pregnant with my husband. Because she was a believer, however, she kept her son and raised him to be an amazing man (If I do say so myself!).
I’m encouraged by today’s devotional verse, Proverbs 19:21. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” I encouraged my husband during our trip by expressing to him that through the things he’s endured, he is able to minister many people. I’ve come to believe that what we go through is often not only for us. I told my husband that although he still feels the sting of not having his father in his life, and having knowledge that he was rejected before he was born, God has a purpose for all of it. There are so many children longing for the love of a father or a fatherly representative who cares. I’m encouraged that my husband will make good use of every occurrence in his life whether good or bad, to make an impact on the lives of people all over the world!
I’d like to encourage anyone reading this devotional to do the same thing. Many are the plans of man. Many of us create maps and become frustrated with ourselves, and with God, when there are detours. If we’re honest most of us make plans without communicating with God and seeing if our plans line up for His purpose. I personally struggle with things being “just right” in my mind.
I challenge you to take some time today to look at your last journal entry, vision board, or any device used to write down your plans. Take a moment to ask God to show you if your plans line up with His purpose. Ask God to allow His purpose to prevail in your life even if doesn’t look like what you thought it would. It will take some time to submit to God’s will if you’re not used to it, but you’ll gain so much peace once you do. Blessings.
