Home Sweet Simple Home

No matter how often we desire to carve out our own trail and leave our own mark- God is in control of where that trail will go and where that mark will be made. IsnÂ’t that good to know? I am not always good with directions or with a compass. I donÂ’t like to say “I get lost” but that I have “found an alternate route." I was meditating on this verse an thinking about all the plans I have had in my life and how nothing has gone quite the way I expected it too. And you know what? That is a GOOD thing! I am so thankful that God has determined my steps right from birth and not me- I wouldnÂ’t be where I am today if I had.

When I was a teenager my life plan was to be a journalist at some big time newspaper with aspirations of becoming a syndicated columnist. I didnÂ’t plan on getting married until my very late 20s and wouldnÂ’t have children (only 2 at most) until my mid-30s.

God has such a sense of humor. I fell in love with a young man my mother encouraged me to date (not in my plans) because she felt I needed more positive dating experience and he just plain needed dating experience! This young man was 7 years older than me and I had known him and his family my entire life. I resisted- my plan, but God determined my steps and we fell in love when I was 17. Engaged @ 19 and married @ 20 while I was still in college. I received my associate’s degree in journalism but never went to the local 4 yr college. Instead I lost our 1^st baby @ 21.5 yrs of age and gave birth to a beautiful redheaded screamer @ 23 yrs old. Dealt with “secondary infertility” and gave birth to 2^nd dd @ age 26. We were done having children but God thought otherwise and totally surprised us with Sam who came when I was just over 30 yrs old (gee- wasn’t that the age I wanted to get married?!) I say Sam was a surprise- a complete surprise! When I finally thought to take the p.g. test and it was positive and I had my 1^st appt. we found out I was already 12 weeks along! Wow! Why is this so amazing? I almost lost both DDs during 1^st trimester and was restricted etc.- with Sam . . . . I took my teenagers on a mission trip where I went caving, rock climbing and rappelling (not knowing I was pregnant but was around 6 weeks along) and sweated it out in 100 degree heat. Thank you God for determining our steps and protecting me and mine more than I ever knew! Sam completes our family and we are more than blessed to have him.

Have you ever saved up money for something you really wanted and then something else happens and you need to use that saved money? There have been so many incidents when things have happened, like vehicles breaking down and the amount needed for repair was almost the exact amount we had saved (once the cost was $537.06 and we have $538.00 saved!). I thought I was saving for new carpet but God knew that money needed to be set aside for an unforeseen car repair. Once again- I had the plan but God determined my steps!

Sometimes I do not like where God is placing my feet. Sometimes it is painful and at other times humbling but always- the result is good! Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

If I continued with my own plans I wouldnÂ’t be the wife and mother I am today. I would never have thought of home keeping, homesteading and homeschooling as a way of life, a thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling way of life.

God is good. ALL the time. I am so thankful he determines where I step.

:)

12:41 PM, 2006-Jan-16 .. Posted by Galatians69

Sooo true. If I had *my* way my life would be sooo different and I cannot imagine it would be anywhere as wonderful as it is now. God is so good to us. :)

Amen!!

12:43 PM, 2006-Jan-16 .. Posted by DonnaJoy

truer words have never been spoken - God has saved me from myself so very many times!!! Your writing is very encourageing - keep it up!!
Donna

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2:27 PM, 2006-Jan-16 .. Posted by HandsNHearts

Totally agree with you!! What a blessing to know that despite myself, He keeps focused on His own Plan for my life's path. What a terrible mess I would have made...and still try to from time to time...of my own path!
If this is in any part what you pass along with your youth group, Amen for teachers who have insight and discernment! Sadly, many skip that part in those youth groups.

Thanks

2:38 PM, 2006-Jan-16 .. Posted by TheGoodLife

I needed your blog post today!!

I continually fight the path I am on even tho I know it is the best path for our family & probably ME.... But I had planned a different life & keep fighting wanting the one I had planned.

Love LeanneNZ