What a Week!

 "The best-laid plans of mice and men go oft awry."

So wrote the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Well, what he actually wrote was, "the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley."  But since, for most of us, our Gaelic is a bit rusty, we just read it in translation!

This has been quite a week. A week filled with ups and downs. Mostly downs.

Let’s go back to Saturday when we had a surprise visit from one of our sons. Definitely a high point. Love, laughter, good conversation. What a blessing.

However, the days since then have been filled with discouragement, grief, disappointment, and frustration. Which called to mind these words from Robert Burns. Our best laid plans do often go awry. 

This morning’s Bible reading took me to Proverbs 16:9 - “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

That verse called to mind Romans 8:28 - “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Remembering that even the frustrations and discouraging and challenging days have purpose brings comfort. Remembering that God is sovereign. Remembering that He is always at work for my good and for His glory. Remembering puts this crazy week into perspective.

So that even when things go oft awry, and they will, there is still joy in the journey. Because God is God and I am not. And because God is in control.