Best Laid Plans: Wednesday in the Word

It’s fitting that today’s Wednesday in the Word is about best laid plans. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the posting date on this one is Thursday. And that’s how planning goes at my house!

I didn’t plan for it, but it happened. My renewal fees for an author program I participate in were due at the end of January. No problem. I do some side work for other people as needed, and I would simply use what I earned in January to pay my fees. Problem solved.

Until my best laid plans fell apart. I did’t receive side work for January. And I quit my 9-5 several months ago to focus on writing full-time. Zero funds were going to come in to pay my renewal fee for the Blue Ridge Reader Connections. (By the way, if you’re a reader, you should check out this amazing group. Just search it on Facebook and ask to join. It’s free for readers.)

My financial short-comings were a surprise to me. I had no way to adjust my plan to make up for it. But the issue wasn’t a surprise to God.

While I was trying, without success, to figure out a new plan, God was working in the heart of a friend to gift me with the renewal fee. I could have refused the gift, because it’s never easy to accept help like that. At least it isn’t for me.

But God expected my unexpected, and He provided for it. I accepted with thanks and a grateful heart. I’m excited to see how God is going to use this opportunity for His glory throughout the coming year.

My plan failed. But isn’t it comforting to know God’s plans for us will never fail? He has a purpose for each of us, and He’s planned perfectly how to provide all we need to see His purpose for us through to completion.