Plan on it

It's snowing here. Tony, the weather guy, says to expect an inch an hour until midnight. It's one of those evenings when you are glad to be home, to have the doors closed, the family tucked in, and the dog curled up on the rug (more about her later).

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Weather like this often necessitates changes in plans. We were having a meeting tonight at church, but with all this snow, our minister decided to cancel it. To help, I called the members of the committee. Plans changed. Everyone was glad to stay home.

After that, Steve started calling the members of his Wednesday morning prayer and study group. Hills are risky. Let's stay home. Plans change. We adapt.

See that picture above? It is our back patio in the snow. It was going to be a picture of our beagle out in the front yard, braving the snow that is almost up the height of her legs. As I was getting the camera, she pulled away from Steve. I grabbed my coat, Steve shoved on his shoes, and G started running. It was certainly not in our plans to be chasing a beagle (still attached to her 25 foot leash) through the snow covered neighborhood in the dark. G was not wearing socks or a coat. Steve - no coat. And yet there we were, calling for the dog, trying to tempt her back with a treat. "Treat! Molly! Treat!" It's dark, it's cold; she wants to play. (Stop that laughing. Not so funny out in the cold.)

It was definitely not in our plan for the evening.

Plans change. We respond.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Can we find comfort in the idea that while our day to day plans change, God's plan for us remains constant? He loves us; he will never stop, and he plans to bring us closer and closer into his will -- into his presence. His plans for us are better than hot chocolate, better than soup, better than candles and blankets. His plans for us are warmer than any of those things on a cold day like today.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
He is our comfort, and we may plans on it and count on it, for He has promised it, and He is trustworthy.

Guess what. This is not the post I planned for today.