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Friday, January 27, 2017

Perfect Plan

I woke up today with one thing on my mind, race day, I had packed up my bags with shoes, socks, extra snacks, and even homework that needed to be done. I was anxious, to say the least. I always get nervous this time each meet day but somehow today was different. 

My Mom had texted me to ask if we were still going, the roads were pretty slick and 25 crashes had been reported on the interstate we were meant to be traveling. The road was down to one lane and traffic was moving very slowly. As far as I knew we were still going to the meet and would be leaving shortly. The last thing I remember her saying before leaving was, "be careful," and the last thing my Dad had sent me was, "Love you to the moon and back! Prayers for safe travels." I guess with the road being so bad they were both a little worried about sending me on my way. 

While it seemed we were still going to the meet, I couldn't help but worry myself about what would happen if we were to get caught in traffic or even worse, in an accident ourselves. It's so easy to get caught up in the what-ifs and show a little apprehensive for the unknown. However, I think God had a different plan for our day. 

Our bus was supposed to arrive at school at 9:40 and we were supposed to board the bus at 9:45. With bags in hands we were all waiting anxiously for our carrier to the meet. 9;40 came, and no bus had arrived. 9:45 came, and once again, the bus did not. At around 10:05 we finally hear something about the bus... the company had gotten our date wrong and ended up not sending the bus for our meet.

A few of my fellow teammates were mad and upset, while some were happy and relieved. Myself, I was in awe, a little shocked at what had just happened. Just minutes before my parents had been praying for safe travels and I had been worried about the roads ahead. I had no idea on what would happen if we were to travel today, but I do know that things happen for a reason.

Perhaps this was God showing us he had better plans. Maybe this simple mistake was actually God keeping us at home where we were safe. We will never know what would've happened if we were to travel today, but there's comfort in knowing that things happened exactly as they were meant to be.

Ephesians 1:11-12 says 
11: In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12: in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (NIV)
What a reassuring touch God has given through those verses. God has a plan which he has predestined for us. He knows when things happen, why they happen, and whom they will happen to. It is with that reassurance that we must go forth without worry, we must trust in him, and he will provide us with safety and comfort, even in times when the future is unknown.

While I may not have gotten to compete today, I have been humbled, I have been blessed, but most importantly I have been saved. I've been saved from my own worry, I've been saved from not knowing, and I've been saved by the grace of God, and for that I am thankful.

Today I am thankful for man's mistake which turned out to be a blessing.

Today I am thankful for God's continuous love and purpose.

Today I am thankful and I will give him praise; Praise for a purpose, praise for a future, and praise for a perfect plan which has been laid out for me.