“I’m sorry, but the forecast is calling for pouring rain all weekend.” My thirteen year old fisherman did not take the canceling of his camping/fishing trip well. He had spent two days preparing already. Sorting fishing gear, carefully finding and counting worms to make sure he had enough. He was basically ready for two weeks of back country survival, (the canceled trip was for two days at a local lake.)
I hate to see my children disappointed. I know life has so many disappointments in store for them. In the grand scheme of things, a canceled fishing trip is nothing, however, it was everything to my son this day. In the future, I will not always be able to make things better for my children when life is hard, but for now I try to find ways to soften the blows. I am also queen of, “When life hands you lemons make lemonade. No lemons? Well, we’ll find something else.” Sometimes my children are so loudly bemoaning their change of plans, that it is hard to get them to calm down a moment so I can think of an alternative solution. I try to remind them that I am there for them even as they are sad.
Occasionally though, when my own plans are disrupted, I can throw a fit every bit as intense as my children. It might look different, but believe me it’s not pretty. When I calm down for a minute I remember, just like my children can hand their disappointments to me, I can bring mine to God. He is our good Father who hates to see us sad. Sometimes He has to say no to something we really thought we wanted, but He is always there to hold us when our plans are upset. And when He reveals His ultimate plan in the situation, it is always better than the one we thought we wanted. Unlike me, God is never surprised at things getting canceled. My plan “B” was His plan “A”, and He had planned on us having lemonade all along.
So on this day I loaded up my son and took him fishing before it started to rain.
“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.” Jeremiah 29:11
Christy,
This is a beautiful reminder that God’s plans and timing are always best. I need to hear this today, thank you ?
I can’t wait to see how God’s timing works out perfectly in your life!
So Precious! You are reflecting God’s love to your child on a fishing trip! I am able to apply your lessons each week to my life. What a gift from you and our Lord.
It is so nice to hear God is using these words!
I have always admired you and your love for God and your family. You’re a wonderful Mommy! You’re children are amazing!!
Thank you so much for the encouragement!
You came thru for your son like God comes thru for us. We just have to trust him. Maybe God thought it was more important for you and your son to spend time together than your son to be gone for two days. God is always looking after us.