Just about the time I think a plan is coming together and the project goal and completion are set, something unexpected happens to throw a wrench in the mix. It seems like it always happens.
Invariably there is something I didn’t see that puts an obstacle in the plan. Oftentimes it will end up costing more than anticipated and the budget isn’t going to stretch.
It happens to all of us. It isn’t just at work. Actually, such issues at work can be easier sometimes because there is a team involved to help sort it all out and come up with a new plan. In our personal lives, we may not have a big support team.
New plans and projects may have targets and timelines, but they don’t always have blueprints to follow.
Our personal lives might have targets and goals, maybe even timelines for the big things. I remember that was true for us when we were working to put aside money for our children’s college educations. We knew about the amount of money needed, when we would need it, how much we were making, and how long it would take to reach the savings goal each semester or each year. Those helped us and gave us guidance.
What happens when there are no blueprints to follow?
What do I mean?
Let’s say I am reasonably responsible and operate with a budget. I am pretty diligent to follow it and even have some of those “just in case” categories. I even have a savings plan in the mix. I know I can’t plan for everything, but I am trying to take some of those inevitable unexpected things into account.
I feel like things are on track until one day the company I am working for makes a decision to reduce staff or maybe move out of the area or country. (It happened today when a major company cut 12,000 employees, a whopping 11% of their workforce.)
It’s a rough day even if I had been hearing whispers that something like this might happen. I collect my things and try to sort out if there is a severance package or some level of unemployment benefits. I feel glad I have been working with a budget for a while, but I know there isn’t enough money in the bank to be out of work for a long time.
Or….
Let’s say I have a great job with benefits I really appreciate, but then one day on a routine visit to the doctor I find out there is a serious illness developing. Several treatment options are available to me, but I need to check with my insurance company to see which is the one I can get coverage for. Suddenly, I discover the medical issue is considered catastrophic and there is no coverage.
Now what?
Maybe I have been blessed with several great relationships, the kind that start casually and end up as something really solid, rich, and sustaining. These are my “go to” girls and then one day I discover one of them is having an affair with the other one’s husband. I sure didn’t see that coming. It also means those very relationships I had counted on dissolve in a split second.
I could go on, but you get the picture. Life is full of uncertainties and doesn’t stay on a predictable schedule. That would help, but what would really help is a flexible blueprint that would point the way when the unexpected DOES happen.
What do I do when there is no blueprint?
I hear some of you saying things like “you need to put your faith in the Lord” or “trust Jesus, He’ll work it out” or “this testing will reap a great harvest in your life”. (Okay, maybe you wouldn’t say that.)
Do I look to the Lord in the unexpected that has turned my world upside down?
YES!! BUT…that still doesn’t give me a blueprint.
Do I believe He will be with me? Provide for me? Yes, but how and when? He doesn’t operate with that kind of blueprint.
I know that from what I see from Genesis through Revelation. He gives me principles to live by and stories about how He moves in behalf of His children. He gives me tenets of faith to build my life upon and promises to sustain me, but He doesn’t give blueprints.
I look at the life of Jesus and I see He showed His love and power through many healing miracles, but it was never done the same way. There was no formula.
I see He tells Peter he can walk on the water to meet Him when the disciples’ boat is caught in a storm, but He doesn’t tell him how to do it. There are lots of examples in His Word.
What’s the hard part?
Trusting Jesus when we can’t see the end result is the hard part of doing life when the unexpected happens, when life throws us a curve ball we don’t think we can come back from.
The truth is: We know Jesus is absolutely trustworthy and yet totally outside of our control.
What sustains me then? Holding fast to the certainty of His love for me. Resting in the sure promise He will be with me. All those stories in the Bible show me that time and time again.
Life without blueprints builds trust.
It builds faith.
It builds character.
It is the life of a disciple.
“Trusting Jesus when we can’t see the end result is the hard part of doing life when the unexpected happens, when life throws us a curve ball we don’t think we can come back from.” Difficult? Yes. Sometimes downright impossible, or so we think. But something amazing happens if we just hold on. God pinch hits that curve ball hitting a home run every time. Thanks for your words of reminder.
You’re so right, Patty! Blessings on your day!
“Trusting when we can’t see,” sounds like the definition of faith to me. I wish I didn’t resist it so fiercely at times!
Trusting is pretty similar. For me, if I have faith in the character of my daddy growing up it means to me that I know his character, his love, etc. When he tells me to jump into his arms and I do, trust activates the faith and turns it into action. Thanks so much for stopping and sharing! Blessings on your day!
I could easily have written your first paragraph, Pam. It’s happened to me more times than I can count. It can be hard to accept sometimes, but God’s plans are best even when we don’t understand. I’ve learned and am still learning that there really is no exact blueprint that shows me exactly what to do. But like you I can rest assured that God loves me, that He will give me strength and be with me in everything. I can say AMEN to this: “What sustains me then? Holding fast to the certainty of His love for me. Resting in the sure promise He will be with me.” Blessings to you!
Thanks so much, Gayl! It is hard indeed, but I am persuaded it is a tool necessary for growth in Him. Blessings on you as well!
Pam, thank you for ‘visiting’ via “Small Wonder” link up–I appreciate it!(btw, on Kelly’s page with the linkys at the bottom, when I clicked on yours, it said, ‘error.’ I found your post by going to the home page.)
Your ‘Home’ page photo is lovely, by the way!
re: Blueprints–sometimes I just wanna draw my own. Ever do that?
Great post!
Thanks, I had a challenge linking this on on her page for some reason. Thanks for pursuing till you got to it. Thanks about the Home page pic as well! It is a favorite photo of mine and many seem to enjoy it as well. And yes, I definitely can be tempted to draw my own!! Blessings on your day!
Ooh wow, I always had a “blue print” for my life for as long as I can remember. I tried my best to follow it thinking that if I did everything right, my life would go just as I planned. How wrong I was! I try my hardest to remember it’s all His plan but sometimes that is so hard. I loved this post!
~Trisha
Thanks, Trisha! It is really a hard thing. So glad to have you stop by!
I see that there are quite a few of those Yes, BUTs in my life, Pam …
You’ve enlightened me and made me aware of some invitations He’s sending my way.
They’re all about trust issues. Yes. And faith …
Practicing what I think the truth here means is tough to do, but this current season is giving me more practice! Great to hear from you, friend!
I have wished for a blueprint many times but am so grateful for the trust and character I’ve developed without one. Great post!
I hear you! Me too! Thanks for stopping by!
Off the blueprint is even more challenging than “off the grid!” I get thrown for a loop when things don’t go as I expected, so your words are important for me to read and to savor.
I hear you, my friend! Thanks for stopping in!
Trust and character…those two things can rub so raw as He develops them. I wrestle with control and knowing the plan as much as any other. I want instant gratification! The beauty really is in the process…His blueprint, our tiny steps – one in front of the other. I’m so thankful I’m not in charge. I really enjoyed your piece today and I’m happy to be visiting from Soul Survival. Have a wonderful week:)
Well said, my friend. The longer we live the longer we know this is true. Still know folks who keep trying to “figure out” the Qualifications to receive the Lord’s healing in one way or another. Truth is, there are none and never have been! His ways are not our ways. And it is not about us, it is always abou HIM and His all-abiding love for us.
Thanks! Yes, we do! It seems a truth that takes a bit to soak in through quite a few experiences for us all. Thanks, my sweet friend!