The Best Laid Plans...

Do you have a plan for your day? Do you think it's a pretty good plan? Maybe you planned to do something really great, something you think would actually benefit someone else. What if despite your best efforts, and by no fault of your own, it didn't happen? Well, that pretty much sums up our day today.

Today was our second day in Macedonia. The first day was great! We got to go see the kids at the 25th of May and had an amazing time reconnecting with old friends as well as making new ones. I'm still amazed at the amount of genuine love I receive from these kids. The fact that they still greet us with the same enthusiasm and sincerity they had when we first met continues to blow my mind. Today, however, was a different story.

As soon as we pulled up to the orphanage today and started to get out of the van we were told that we had to leave and couldn't be there that day. What?? You mean we don't get to see the kids or start on the project we had planned to do? We soon learned that a tragedy had occurred (not involving any of the kids or anyone at the orphanage) and that we wouldn't be able to stay that day . I can't lie, I was very disappointed and even a little frustrated. We had plans! We only have a short time here and I wanted to redeem every bit of it the way we had mapped it out. After getting back in the van I had to quickly remind myself of what our team has said many times in our meetings, "Be flexible". I also had to remember that this is God's trip that He has called each one of us to go on and that "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28). It's funny how God works our situations out for good even when we don't see how he can.

Today turned out to be an awesome day of bonding with my team! I've laughed more today than I probably have in the last month! We took time to go to a nice lunch and then decided to go up to the "Cross on the hill", which was a great experience we would not have had had the day gone as planned. We ended up having an amazing day and I can't begin to describe how proud I am of my team for adapting and making lemonade out of what we thought were lemons. I think we realized that it's not all about getting projects or other task done and sticking to a plan, but allowing God to use us for His will and as a result growing our faith and relationship with Christ through the process. Today also taught me that in the midst of a tragedy I have to choose to trust in The Lord. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". I certainly didn't understand why some things happened today but I did have a choice about how I responded to the situation. Even when my plans are thwarted I choose to put my trust in Jesus and He's never failed me yet. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8, 9). I want to encourage those reading this to let go of whatever plans you have. This does not mean don't make plans for your life but to make sure you are prepared to be flexible should things not go as planned and allow God to show you the marvelous plan He has for you which I garauntee is way better than any one you could ever imagine. God bless :)