Northstar Womens Network

Each morning I sit at my desk, open my calendar and cross out scheduled meetings and events for that day.

What a different world we’re living in right now. 
 

My days run together; I wear the standard uniform of sweats and a t-shirt and on good days, I brush my teeth by 2pm. A friend and I splurged and bought new makeup 3 weeks ago, and I haven’t worn any of it yet. As spontaneous and “by the seat of my pants” as I usually live and thrive by, the absence of a routine and a normal schedule is wearing me down.

I’m reminded of the verse in Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
 
All the cancellations, all the disappointments and frustrations haven’t taken God by surprise. He knew this is where I’d be today. In fact, I’m pretty sure me being here was part of His original plan.:)

With these thoughts in mind, I’m asking God to redirect my plans and purposes. Standing on the firm belief that God has ordained all my days, including the hours and minutes, and that He has purposed my days for His glory, I’m asking Him for a renewed sense of joy and wonder as I wake up each morning and anticipate the day ahead.
    

At the beginning of the year, when seeking a special word or phrase on which to meditate, “surprise” kept surprising me as it popped up in Scripture, book titles, conversations and more. I felt the Spirit telling me to stay alert and see how God is going to surprise me this year with what He has in store.
  

I’ve already seen ways God has surprised me as I’ve asked Him to work in certain situations this year. More than a few times I’ve exclaimed to myself or others, “Wow! That was such a surprising way God worked in that area.” Or, “Thank you, God, for surprising me with this bit of encouragement" or "that divine insight.”

As I set aside my plans for the next few months, I am listening and looking for what this day might hold. I’m asking God to help me not to miss what He has in store for me. Knowing God has great plans I may have missed had I been able to carry on “life as usual,” my desire is to be keenly aware of what God has for me in each day of staying home in isolation and social distancing.