Refuge in a Steak 'n Shake

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.   -Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

Photo from Weathernotions

I could see it now---I was going to be a story on the Weather Channel, sucked up by a tornado. I could either stay in the car and be tossed about or I could try to get inside the closest building and risk getting blown away while trying to escape the 91 mile-per-hour winds that were gusting outside. 

I chose the latter. Let's just say I have never been so happy to make it inside a Steak 'n Shake. 

Yes, I have a vivid imagination and yes, I have a slight fear of storms still hanging on from my childhood, but the storm that ripped through the area on Friday, which I have learned was called a "derecho," reminded me once again that I'm not in control. 

I had plans to spend Friday afternoon running errands and relaxing a bit---instead I found myself in a Steak 'n Shake with no power and several strangers hoping that the storm wouldn't rip the building apart and that the winds would calm down enough that I could head home. 

We make our plans, we dream our dreams, we wish our wishes, and hope and pray that they will come true. But, one of the things God has taught me in waiting is that life doesn't always go the way you thought it would. 

You thought you'd never lose your job, you thought he would always love you, you thought you'd never be alone, you thought you'd have a child by now, you thought they would never hurt you like that, you thought ...

Ultimately, it's the Lord's plan that prevails. Yes, He wants us to make plans, He wants us to dream and wish and hope---those longings and desires are often from Him. But, but even more than that, He wants us to trust in Him even when things don't go like we planned, because His plan is so much bigger and grander and beautiful than we can even begin to imagine.