Plans

I'm at the age where I hear some of my friends talking about their five-year plans from time to time.  I've never attempted to make a five-year plan for myself, but I have a feeling it might only vaguely reflect my actual life during those five years.  Very few things about my life today look how I would have expected them to had I been planning this five years ago.

I never would have planned to quit a successful, comfortable job after seven years.

I never would have planned to uproot my life just as everyone around me is settling down.

I never would have planned to spend 6 months living in limbo between my Virginia life and my Kenya life in someone else's basement.

I never would have planned to move nearly 8,000 miles from almost everyone I love.

I never would have planned to miss three years of Christmases with my family.

I never would have planned to miss the birth of my nephew.

I never would have planned for the emotional roller coaster caused by such a life change.

I never would have planned to say so many goodbyes.

But, I never could have planned for the outpouring of love and generosity that I've seen this past year.

I never could have planned for the fulfillment I feel as I follow this path.

I never could have planned for the indescribable peace I feel even through the emotional ups and downs.

"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 a hope and a future."  (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Deciding to follow Jesus means that, sometimes, my plans don't work out.  Thank God.

"This is the good life

I lost everything I could ever want, ever dream of

This is the good life

I found everything I could ever need, here in Your arms"