The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16: 3
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16: 9
You heard all about my vacation a couple of weeks ago—well almost all. Now for the rest of the story. I find plenty to keep me busy in my life around Thomasville, Georgia—I mean beyond writing. My interest in the homeless, Bible study at church, walking at the lake, visiting in the hospital, visiting with friends or out to dinner has made life good. After my sweetheart died, I refused to give up and have kept going. I make plans. People-plans, however, are not always God-plans.
While visiting my family in Pennsylvania, God gave me a little glimpse of His plans—plans to relocate closer to family. He put the brakes on my people-plans. A glimpse was all I had. The first step was to find a place to live, and as I write I have a place to go. (Address will come later!) I will be moving after August 1st.
What does God have in store for me in doing His will “on earth as it is in heaven?” What church? What ministry? And what new friends to add to you?
I will use the next two months to get ready for the move. Once I relocate, I will resume my journals to share with you.
The poem below demonstrates how our plans and God’s plans don’t always head down the same street. I want to ride in His car and let Him do the driving. Then, I can be certain of getting to where He wants me with no harm to me or those to whom He leads me.
Please keep in touch with me over the summer months. I will have time to email, text, call, or pray for and with you.
GOD-BRAKES
Driving down life’s thoroughfare,
enjoying what we please,
seeking for some here or there
to give existence ease—
we soon forget that Providence
might have some different takes,
and there will be a consequence
till God’s foot hits the brakes.
The traffic’s fraught with snarls and snags,
distractions and detours.
But if there are some warning flags
the careless soul ignores,
results may fall with thund’ring boom
or earth-dividing quakes,
and send God’s child back to the womb,
when God applies the brakes.
A bigger picture, with its map,
is often out of view.
What can’t be seen in just one lap
will prompt the words, “who knew?”
When after all is said and done
amid the pains and aches,
the beauty’s bright and victory’s won,
when God slams on the brakes.
God-brakes are difficult to brave,
revealing frailties
of how we humans will behave
in self-indulgent sprees.
And, too, some honest choices turn
out wrong—they’re only fakes!
It’s at these times that we will learn
that God will hit the brakes.
In driving at a break-neck speed,
we miss the signs and guides.
And if we, like a tourist, heed
attractions by the sides,
we may a greater joy delay
by making bad mistakes,
but joy will come when we can say,
“Please God, put on the brakes.”
June E. Titus
[i] https://www.reneemears.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/brakeslam.jpg
