What Is Your Script?

Jeremiah 29:11 – "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (NIV)

Entertainment is rare at the doctor's office, but on one visit, a young mom and her four-year-old twins kept us all in smiles. We needed a smile because my husband, Ron, was in the last stages of cancer.

Likely hoping for a little peace and quiet, mom picked a children's book off the shelf, arranged the little ones on either side, and began to read. The girls did not like mom's book one bit. It was one of those learn-your-alphabet things. They had no interest in their ABCs. Instead, they'd each picked out happy, cartoony-type stuff.

They begged and whined for mom to discard her plan and use their particular picture book. Mom paid no attention. She calmly proceeded with her reading. Eventually though, both girls set their books aside and listened to mom's soft voice reading them what they needed to know.

We are like that. God has a plan for us. He has things to teach us, and we don't care to learn them. However, if we are wise, we allow God to point the way steadfastly. We come alongside and begin to read what God is reading. When Ron died, I had to decide whether I would continue to believe that. I am reading some plans right now that I do not care for at all. Thankfully, with help from God, family, friends, and neighbours, I will be able slowly to rebound and carry on.

How can this plan be good for us? How can Ron's death prosper us? How can these plans be right for us? What future is there in this? I don't know the answers to all the questions yet, but this I do know: God loves us. He plans the best for us — if we will but trust Him and willingly follow His path.

Prayer: Lord, grant us the faith and patience to believe in Your faithful promises, even though we don't always see the reasons or even get the answers to our questions. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.