Ever start the day with plans in view but things go differently than you expected?     I learned something from my son today.  When things fall apart, you don’t have to.

Zachary and Kristi had his VW bus all packed up and ready for the trip back east to visit family.    6:00 AM all was set, the journey was planned.  The key was inserted to get the doors open and fire up the engines……..then the key broke off in the lock.  The only key.

I couldn’t help but notice Zachary’s reaction.  He had planned this journey for days.    He could have let anger and frustration get the better of him.  He could have kicked the van and given up on it, he has put so much time and money into it already.    Instead of giving in to the opposing circumstances, he went upstairs while I tried calling AAA.   He prayed and opened his Bible to where he had left off in his devotional reading the day before.   Later he told me that where he started reading was the story of Balaam and his Donkey (Numbers 22:21ff).

Balaam was focused on a journey he had planned.   His mind was on the task, and was obviously not tuned in to God.   His donkey was.  Balaam let his own plans get in the way of God’s.   He let the circumstances, the externals of the situation get the better of him.  God had a plan, and Balaam needed to tune in to Him.

Zach was awestruck at the Word for his day.   God had his attention. Maybe He changed the timing of the journey for protection, for growth, for the benefit of the locksmith…..many reasons of which we may never know.   

Thanks, Lord, that you guide and encourage your children.    Your plans are higher than ours….and they are perfect.