A few weeks ago I wrote about the disappointment and surprise that my son had at not being accepted into the college of his choice. (See college acceptance letter on previous blog. www.alexashepard.com ) When he was a "shoe in", he got a red light. I talked about how sometimes it feels as if God is not answering our prayers by giving us the desires of our heart. How sometimes it simply doesn't make sense. But God's plans for us are bigger than our dreams. " I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
And so here is the rest of the story.....
A few days after the rejection letter came, my son received a letter from his second choice college. They were giving him the "Lumberjack Scholarship". A full tuition scholarship! The next day he was accepted into the honors program, which included special benefits and preferred housing. A payment for housing was due by the end of the month. The next day an email came. They were waiving the fee. WOW! I thought to myself... Is God just showing off now?
I am so thankful that God showed so boldly to my son, that he had a bigger and better plan for him. Ironically it was always a big desire of my son's to go to college debt free.
When we are hit with the disappointment of not getting what we pray for, we need to remember that God is still in control. A "no" can be for our protection, or it could be that God has something better in store for us that we simply can't see from where we are.
We don't always get to see God's other plan for us so quickly, like my son did, but I guarantee that someday you will see it.
Mom's, pray for your kids, counsel them and point them to Jesus. God is still on the throne and every situation is an opportunity to tap into God's immense love for them. Like any good father would, our heavenly father wants what is best for us. The sooner we learn to trust God in all circumstances, the sooner we can teach this to our children. Think of the Lord's prayer. It says "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Not OUR will. I don't know about you, but that's a load off my shoulders. God is in control. God has it. God has my back, and is ultimately leading the way. When I trust him when things don't make sense, when I place my faith in him, I can live a life of joy and contentment irregardless of my situation.