photo by E. Williams
To “B� or Not
To “B�, That Is
The Question!
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the
Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I recently listened to a conference speaker who
To “B�, That Is
The Question!
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the
Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I recently listened to a conference speaker who
spoke on the topic, “when God messes up your plans�. As a person recently
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I was captivated by this turn of a phrase.
There are times when I feel exactly that way – God has indeed messed up my plans!
I thought I would be a preschool director until I reached retirement age. I planned on a
very active retirement after my days as director were over. I counted on being a
significant component of our family finances through wages earned while working. I
planned, I planned and I planned.
But God’s plan for me was different. Suddenly I was faced with a plan B
situation. What had I done wrong? Was my plan inadequate in some way? I thought I
had hit on just the right way for me to serve the Lord in ministry: as director of our
preschool. What was I supposed to do now? And I wasn’t sure if this new plan
suited me very well, especially since I wasn’t sure what the plan entailed!
After prayer and long thought, I realized that I was looking at this plan B from a
teacher’s point of view. When plan B is brought into play in a preschool
classroom, it means that plan A was a failure. That amazing art project results in a
sticky mess in the children’s hands. That captivating children’s message holds
the kid’s attention for mere seconds. That finely tuned lesson plan for the week
takes only two days to complete. Plan B is necessary because Plan A was a mess.
This is not the case with God’s plan B. When God turns us from our own plans
and sets a new course before us, it is not because we have failed! It is simply time for
us to do his work elsewhere. While we might think there is more for us to do in our
present position in life, only God knows when the task he has set before us is
complete. When we are presented with a plan B, our loving God is giving us an
opportunity to grow in our faith, to come closer to Him through obedience to His will,
and to be blessed by service in new and unexpected ways. Plan B is a gift!
So now I must decide if I will accept this gift and the adventures it offers. I could
remain as director until I am incapable of continuing, I could bemoan my pending loss
of income and I could ignore God’s call to set aside my plans in favor of His. But
to do so would bring me frustration and disappointment while embracing plan B can
bring me renewed joy as I trust in my Lord to guide me on the path he has chosen
especially for me. I have decided to “B�, what about you?
© 2008 Elizabeth Williams
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I was captivated by this turn of a phrase.
There are times when I feel exactly that way – God has indeed messed up my plans!
I thought I would be a preschool director until I reached retirement age. I planned on a
very active retirement after my days as director were over. I counted on being a
significant component of our family finances through wages earned while working. I
planned, I planned and I planned.
But God’s plan for me was different. Suddenly I was faced with a plan B
situation. What had I done wrong? Was my plan inadequate in some way? I thought I
had hit on just the right way for me to serve the Lord in ministry: as director of our
preschool. What was I supposed to do now? And I wasn’t sure if this new plan
suited me very well, especially since I wasn’t sure what the plan entailed!
After prayer and long thought, I realized that I was looking at this plan B from a
teacher’s point of view. When plan B is brought into play in a preschool
classroom, it means that plan A was a failure. That amazing art project results in a
sticky mess in the children’s hands. That captivating children’s message holds
the kid’s attention for mere seconds. That finely tuned lesson plan for the week
takes only two days to complete. Plan B is necessary because Plan A was a mess.
This is not the case with God’s plan B. When God turns us from our own plans
and sets a new course before us, it is not because we have failed! It is simply time for
us to do his work elsewhere. While we might think there is more for us to do in our
present position in life, only God knows when the task he has set before us is
complete. When we are presented with a plan B, our loving God is giving us an
opportunity to grow in our faith, to come closer to Him through obedience to His will,
and to be blessed by service in new and unexpected ways. Plan B is a gift!
So now I must decide if I will accept this gift and the adventures it offers. I could
remain as director until I am incapable of continuing, I could bemoan my pending loss
of income and I could ignore God’s call to set aside my plans in favor of His. But
to do so would bring me frustration and disappointment while embracing plan B can
bring me renewed joy as I trust in my Lord to guide me on the path he has chosen
especially for me. I have decided to “B�, what about you?
© 2008 Elizabeth Williams