A Change of Plans

This blog should have debuted two days ago. On my birthday.

I was already sorting through stuff in my brain on what I would write as my very first blog entry. I wanted that blog entry to be one special way of celebrating my birthday.

That didn’t happen. My laptop got sick, the office DSL connection was also down with ‘flu. So for the past five days or so, I was tragically, utterly off line. That set me to thinking in the most clichéd manner, “Why, Lord?? Don’t you want me to blog and bless?!”

Well, I figured, the reason is simple. He wanted me to reflect on one certain truth on my birthday: I have other, better plans for you.

For the past 30+ years, that seemed to be the pattern: He has better plans for me.

I wanted to take up Fine Arts in college—but He had other plans, so I ended up taking Communication Arts—and “discovered” my giftings in the process.

I went to Manila wanting to start a career in Advertising—but He had other plans—I ended up working in a IndoChinese Refugee Camp in Bataan—and “discovered” my potentials.

A closed door here, an open gate there, a nudge to the left and push to the right…all these altered plans have led me to where I am now.

It doesn’t mean I like them all the time. I have my share of heartaches and complaints too. But its been quite a ride. I don’t know what’s going to happen next but am sure it will be way better than how I would have planned it to be.

So on this belated birthday blog, celebrate with me, the fact that an infinitely wiser God always has other, better plans for me, for us.

“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.’ Jeremiah29:11