Have you ever made plans only to have them changed into something better than you could have imagined in your wildest dreams? Sometimes God leads us into divine appointments so we can have opportunities to share His message. Other times, He leads us into situations where people can minister to us.
Making Plans
A day after my daughter turned five, she asked to go to Elmo’s World, known to the rest of us as Sesame Place, for her sixth birthday. In case you haven’t picked up on it by now, my daughter got her planning gene from me. The truth is, we both can plan for things years in advance.
Throughout the course of the year, she reminded me that for her sixth birthday she wanted a trip to Elmo’s World. So, when we were a few months out, I started planning the logistics. I bought tickets for a set date and then began figuring out how to get there as I don’t like long drives.
A few weeks before my daughter’s big day, I noticed online that tickets were now cheaper than what I’d pay for them. There was also another reason I needed to change them. I called the box office, even though I knew I’d purchased non-refundable tickets. I laughed and talked with the young woman who’d answered, and despite the non-refundable clause on my tickets, she gave me the better price.
When God Changes the Plans
On the day of the party, I took an Uber for the first time. I don’t like new adventures, so I planned for several days in advance how to take my first Uber. It was a fifteen-minute drive from the train stop in New Jersey to Sesame Place. The Uber driver was friendly and open, sharing things that I usually never share with strangers. But as I listened to her discuss her life, I opened up and shared some very personal experiences and lessons I’d learned the hard way.
When I was about to leave the car, I asked if I could pray for her. By the time I was finished, we were both in tears.
Upon walking into Sesame Place, I knew I’d just had a divine appointment, one only God could have arranged. Sometimes our divine appointments are for others to help us. Sometimes they’re for us to help others.
Let us not miss those blessings because we’re too self-focused or angry because things didn’t work out as we’d originally planned.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for showing up for us. Thank you for allowing us to share with strangers during our journeys. Lord, help us remember that You can make our paths straight, no matter how crooked we may think they are.
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 NIV
