Life is a mixture of making plans and embracing surprises, isn’t it?
Sometimes we succeed in navigating the roadmap clutched in our hands. Other times, we follow a detour or willingly toss the map aside and jaunt off on an unknown adventure. At the end of the day, we discover ourselves on a road we never thought we’d travel, oftentimes a long way from where we ever expected to be …
… and right where we needed to end up all along.
My little “homebody” heart fell in love with a man intent on a military career. After we pledged our lives to one another, I found myself saying goodbye to home over and over again … and ending up where I needed to be over and over again, too. I grew with every move mandated by Uncle Sam. My perspective changed. My circle of friends — of family — criss-crossed the world. Courage uprooted fear as “I could never” was replaced by “Oh, yes, I can.”
Some of my dreams came true, even as some of them were set aside. And some unexpected aspirations surprised me when they eclipsed other, longstanding hopes. I was no longer where I’d intended to go … but yes, I’d ended up where I’d needed to be. And I was available for what was around the next bend in the road, too.
In Your Words: How has your life not gone according to plan — allowing you to end up where you needed to be all along?
[ctt template=”8″ link=”DxU1_” via=”yes” ]In Others\’ Words: Where are You? http://wp.me/p63waO-2lM #lifequotes #InOthersWords [/ctt] [ctt template=”8″ link=”zb5Xk” via=”yes” ]\”I may not have gone where I intended to go … \” http://wp.me/p63waO-2lM #lifequotes #perspective[/ctt]
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Comments 10
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
Phil. 2:17
Author
Andrew,
I appreciate your faith-filled perspective, as always.
Looking back on my life, the road has had multiple twists and turns. I would not have predicted I will be where I am now twenty years ago. Yet, this is exactly where I need and want to be. It’s funny how God changes our perspectives ever so slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) to mold us into His Plan for us.
Author
I agree! The “wanting to be here” may come slowly … but God does give us the desires of our hearts.
Great photo. I had a perfect 3-mile walk in a place like that yesterday w/ a good writing friend, and other neat experiences earlier that same day. As a kid I had things I hoped to do, places I hoped to see, but in reality I marvel at the places he has taken me and the far-flung friends I do have, including the mayor of a tiny town in extreme Southern Mindanao, Philippines who I’m currently nominating for a CNN Heroes award. And through such experiences, I’m more and more sensing God’s amazing love for every place He has created, and every individual, even those not yet aware of His redemption.
Author
Rob took the photo during his annual fishing trip — one of his favorite places to be with some of his favorite people. And yes, your experiences rival those of most people, as does your gratitude for what God has done in your life. You remind me to embrace all the adventures in my life.
Oh Beth, I loved this post. If life had gone according to my plan, I would have been married at 18, a young mother living somewhere, probably in Denver. But, as God had it, I married at 28, dealt with years of infertility . . . which led hubs and me down the path of adoption. Which is its own journey. Writing? Sure, I dreamed of it, but I never expected to be doing it. Again, God has ways of diverting us from the paths we think we should be on and landing us right where He knows we need to be. I’m beyond thankful for His ways of working and guiding in my life. 🙂
Author
Thank you for giving us a glimpse of where you wanted to go and where you ended up — and always, always praising God for what He has done in your life, Jeanne. I’m thankful He allowed our paths to cross.
Oh, yes … we spent 13 years with the air force … and each move blessed me in so many ways. I was always right where I needed to be. Here lately, I’d been feeling guilty about moving our girls from Fort Worth to east of Dallas … thinking of all the things we lost … but then, suddenly we gained a new person in our lives–my daughter’s best friend. And I know this move was perfect … and she’s right where she needs to be. And me, too.
Author
Shelli: Moves are always hard, especially saying goodbye to friends. I always pray for new friends for my children — and for me, too. It can take time to form those new friendships, but they are the treasures I’ve gathered through the years.