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A Change of Plans
Many times we have an idea of what God's perfect will should be for us, but because we live in a fallen world, things are less than perfect and don't always go according to plan. The good news is that God is always there directing our steps no matter what.

February 2014


Today’s plan was simple. Leave the house by 1 p.m. to head to my in-laws with my newborn son. We were going to meet up with my husband Erik and two-year-old who had taken the two-hour journey to Wisconsin a few days earlier. Erik’s grandfather was turning 90, and we were just a few of the out-of-state family members coming in town to celebrate.

Given the fact that I was 80 percent packed by 10:30 a.m., the task ahead seemed easy. Little did I know, the day would go much differently than planned.

The first change came at 12:30 p.m., right when I decided I was ready to pack the car. I walked over to the laundry room and saw a puddle of water expanding underneath the washer and dryer. At first I thought something was wrong with our new washing machine, but then I started to have Deja vu.

Fewer than three weeks earlier, I had seen a similar puddle of water in the laundry room… and then the kitchen… and then under the doorway between the dining room and the kitchen. After squishing my way across one-third of our dining room carpet, I realized this was not a tiny little leak.

Today, as I watched the water creep out from under the machines, I stepped back and looked into the kitchen. Sure enough, a telltale puddle was forming under our cabinets. A couple more minutes passed before the same corner of our carpet was dripping wet. That confirmed my suspicions. The pipes in our townhome had burst—again.

Part of the problem is the fact no one lives in the townhome adjacent to ours because it’s in foreclosure, and the common wall between both units is where the pipes are located. As you can imagine, water pipes in a vacant Minnesota home in the wintertime is not a good combination.

At that moment, I was filled with both dread and disappointment. I thought, Really? This had to happen right now? Then I realized that wallowing around in frustration wouldn’t clean up the slowly swelling mess in front of me. Confronted with a potential water damage disaster, I knew immediately that my original plan was out the window. So I quickly formulated “Plan B.” I needed to stop the flow of water from next door, dry out the affected areas, and then hit the road.


WHEN PLAN "B" BECOMES PLAN "C"
I spent the next few hours on the phone with my husband, my dad, the police, our insurance agent, the adjuster who helped us on the first claim, the mitigation company, and our townhome association. Thanks to everyone’s help, I eventually got the issue resolved. The mitigation company would be here soon, and I was finally close to leaving again.

By the time I started to pack the car, it was 4 p.m. All of a sudden I was facing two additional challenges: rush hour traffic and snow. Again, not a good combination. Since the weather report said we were only supposed to get an inch or two, I was determined to head out sooner rather than later.

By the time I pulled out of my driveway and glanced down at the clock, it was 5 p.m. I headed toward what I thought would be the best route through traffic. The snow had definitely affected the roads, but not bad enough to get me to turn around—that is until my dad called to let me know that the road I was on was at a standstill several miles ahead. He suggested my trip time may double if I continued.

Although I wanted get to Erik’s grandfather’s house, there was nothing I could do. The snow kept falling and all of a sudden, Plan B was out the window too. Again, instead of worrying, my mind immediately started thinking about possible Plan C options. Within minutes, I realized that my friend April’s mother lived on the road I was traveling. I called her and asked if she happened to be home and wouldn’t mind a guest for an hour or two while the traffic cleared. She graciously said she’d love it; therefore, I prepared myself to have an enjoyable, unexpected night with friends.


TIME FOR PLAN "D"
I arrived at her house for my temporary visit, but within an hour I got a call from Erik. After chatting about the weather and road conditions, we realized that the roads were much worse than I thought. It was too risky to head toward Wisconsin that night after all. It would be better to come in the morning. So that’s exactly what I did. Plan D, here I come! With my newborn son in the back seat, I drove back home, spent the night in my own bed, and left again the next morning.

Romans 8:28 says,
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

Looking back, it would have been much easier on me and my newborn if I had left when originally planned. We would have arrived at our destination before rush hour began and before the snow had overtaken the streets. But I am beyond grateful that I didn’t leave as planned. What if I hadn’t noticed the water leak? Neither townhome would have been occupied for days, and I cringe when I think about how extensive the damage could have been! I thank God it all worked out the way it did.

TIME FOR GOD'S PLAN
Clearly, the Lord had spared us from further damage in our home by ensuring that I was home at that very moment the pipes burst again.

We often have a picture in our heads of what God’s perfect will should be for us. In this case, I would assume His perfect will would include no water damage. But because we live in a fallen world, things are less than perfect. We face hiccups and difficulties in our daily plans. The good news is that God already knows the hiccups we will face. That’s why He not only gives us the help and assistance of the Holy Spirit, but He also works through others to help us on a daily basis.

I’ve learned that our job in the middle of these twists and turns of life is to not wallow in frustration, but to trust that God will see us through until the end. The Lord will always meet us where we are at and extend just the right amount of peace and knowledge to help us take the right steps or make the best decisions. Even though I was rushed and frustrated at times, God was still able to work through my family, friends, and the unique circumstances I faced in order to bring about the solution that was best for me and my son. Praise God!

As Proverbs 16:9 says,
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (NLT). Never forget that wherever you are, God is with you. He is looking out for you and working on your behalf. We may not know or recognize it at the time, but God will always orchestrate your steps to not only protect and bless you, but to help you successfully navigate His plan for your life.

THANK YOU
Here at cfaith, we are glad to walk with you through this journey of faith. We pray that our website content, monthly partner letters, and devotional emails remind you daily of God at work in your life.

I also want to thank you for taking the time to support our ministry. You help bring the truths of God's Word to people around the world, and ultimately keep people grounded in the truth that no matter which path or plan they are on, God is walking with them.

Praying for God's best to you,



Laura Wegener
writer
cfaith