Plans

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart,but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails." and boy are we learning that here in the Graham house this week.

My husband, Jerry, and oldest son, Jeremiah, have been diligently planning and working on a their plans for a mission trip to Africa. They mailed out support letters, did fund raisers, got all the necessary immunizations, made arrangements at their jobs, packed their bags and were all ready to go. The schedule was set, they would leave Sunday afternoon with a team of fellow missionaries. This was Jerry's 6th trip and Jeremiah's first.

And then God did something crazy. Saturday morning, Jeremiah, woke up feeling sick to his stomach. He went about his day, trying to convince himself that it was nothing but nerves, but by 5 pm his dad and I were not convinced. He and his dad headed off to the Emergency room, just to be sure all was well before he left the country. After a few hours of test, we began to understand that God had a different plan for Jeremiah. He was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and by 10 pm that night he headed into surgery, all hope of his trip with Jerry, gone.

Truly, I do not know who was more disappointed, Jerry or Jeremiah. It was such a mix of emotions, concern over needed surgery, a demand to make all the necessary changes in the travel plans and repack the bags of medical supplies Jeremiah was suppose to take in his luggage, disappointment over a change in plans, the list goes on and on. But as the hours past we began to realize just how blessed we really were and what a difference 24 hours would have made. Had Jeremiah already boarded the plane to Africa before his appendix decided to flare up, the results might not have been all that great. Or, if he had already been in Africa....wow, I can hardly think about what may have happened. And then I am rendered speechless and think again of the verse in Proverbs, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart,but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails."

Thank goodness, that God does know, that His purpose prevails. He has a plan for Jeremiah, and He holds him in the palm of His hand, and this is one momma that is thankful for that!

Where have you seen God working in your life? I would love to hear about it!