Better Plans

With graduation just weeks away, Caleb and my wedding less than 150 days away then graduate school beginning just days after that I cannot help but think how funny life is. Ever since 8th grade I have been certain that I would go to school near the beach, graduate and move to New York City where I would work in the fashion industry and then meet my prince charming after I had become an established designer. I was so sure that I would not get married until I was about 30. Well, I’ve learned that God has a sense of humor and that my original dream could not be further from what is actually happening. But I could not be happier with the plans He has had for me.

For as long as I can remember one of my favorite verses has been Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I used to believe that this meant if I did what the Lord asked of me, followed His Word, and was a “good girl,” He would grant all my desires and make my dreams come true. Today, this is still one of my favorite passages, but I have learned to interpret it in a totally different way. I have come to realize that it is not about God making my dreams come true but rather about God changing my dreams into His dreams for my life.

Today I am living the desires of my heart and I could not be any happier. I transferred away from a school near the beach to a school in the middle of the country, am marrying the man of my dreams at 21, moving to Branson for graduate school (while my parents move to NYC, kind of funny), getting my undergraduate degree in Religious Studies and pursuing a masters in Ministry, Business Leadership & Ethics. Who knows where the Lord will lead Caleb and I from here, but I am certain that it will bring much joy to our lives and hopefully the lives of others.  I cannot imagine my life any other way. His plan is far better than my own.