I actually had a blog writing plan, a whole schedule with topics that flow and feed into each other. I was excited to write again. Then life happened. Doesn’t it always? Is it just me that feels like every time I figure out a plan, something happens that throws it off? We’re supposed to plan life, but life doesn’t always follow our plans.
When I thought I could build writing consistency, a few family health issues happened. And now, as I write this, I have another biopsy scheduled in a few days for a “stable abnormally enlarged lymph node.” I’ve had two follow-up ultrasounds since I’ve had my thyroidectomy, and after each time, a biopsy was needed. The first biopsy turned out to be leftover scar tissue that’s negative for cancer, praise the Lord. I’m praying this upcoming biopsy would be good news too.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, we had Vacation Bible School. There were lessons to prepare, decorations to hang, volunteers to train, children to reach, and countless little details that somehow came together by God’s grace.
Summer is winding down now, and I’m not sure where time went. One moment, I was looking ahead with a nice, stable plan to follow, not just for writing, but with doctor appointments and devotion time with God. The next moment, things feel like they’re in disarray and stores have shelves of school supplies next to Halloween decorations.
Life has a way of doing that. It’s like a book we’re unfolding page by page in neat chapters. Then the binding comes loose and all the pages are strewn on the floor. We have to keep reading the story while putting the book back together.
Sometimes, joy and grief sit side by side. We hold both in the same hand. Going through one doesn’t mean we don’t have the other. I had a fun, successful VBS while carrying personal burdens. We celebrate good things while carrying fears and worries about other things.
Faith isn’t just trusting God when life is calm. It’s trusting Him when life doesn’t follow the plan. When life is uncertain. When life doesn’t give any guarantees no matter how hard we plan and follow the plan.
Isaiah 41:10, 13 (NIV) says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
I love that God doesn’t say, “Do not fear not because nothing bad will happen.”
He says, “So do not ear, for I am with you.”
His presence is the promise. Not certainty. Not trouble. Not immediate answers. Not even explanations when we ask why. His presence is what we’re promised. And because He is with us, we don’t need to be afraid of the bad things happening around us. Because He is with us, everything will work out in the end (whatever that ending looks like, especially if it’s not an ending we thought of).
I don’t know what my biopsy will reveal or how the other medical issues my family is facing will play out, but I do know this: God has been faithful before and He will be faithful again. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So when we’ve seen Him give us grace and mercy before, we can be assured that He has grace and mercy for us again. If you have your plans all laid out, but life refuses to follow, remember to trust in God who knows what tomorrow holds.