Your Past Doesn’t Have to Pave Your Future

Growing up, I heard Dolly say this many times. And when you look at her life, you realize she wasn't just saying something that sounded good—she lived it.

Dolly came from very humble beginnings. She grew up in a large family in the mountains of Tennessee, with very little materially. The road she was born onto wasn't necessarily an easy one, and it certainly wasn't a road that guaranteed her the future she would eventually have.

But she didn't allow the road she started on to dictate where she would end up.

She dreamed. She worked. She persevered. She made choices that moved her forward. She walked a different path, paved her own way, and created a future that looked very different from the circumstances she came from.

I think there's a lesson in that for all of us.

Sometimes we find ourselves walking a road we didn't choose. Maybe it's because of decisions we made in the past. Maybe it's because of decisions someone else made that affected us. Maybe life simply handed us circumstances we never expected.

And sometimes we stay on that road because it's familiar.

We complain about where it leads, but we're afraid to change direction.

We know we're unhappy, but we don't know what the next road looks like. We know something needs to change, but we're comfortable enough with the familiar that taking the first step toward something different feels scary.

But here's the thing: you don't have to stay on a road simply because you've been walking it for a long time.

Sometimes you have to stop, look at where you're headed, and decide that it's time to pave another road.

That doesn't mean you can change everything overnight. It doesn't mean every new road will be easy. And it certainly doesn't mean there won't be obstacles along the way.

But it does mean that your current circumstances don't have to determine your future.

You can make a different choice.

You can learn something new.

You can let go of what is holding you back.

You can change your priorities.

You can establish healthier boundaries.

You can pursue a dream you've put on the shelf.

You can start over.

You can take one small step in a different direction.

Sometimes paving a new road doesn't look like some huge, dramatic life change. Sometimes it looks like simply making a different decision today than you made yesterday.

One step becomes another step. One choice leads to another choice. And before long, you may look back and realize you've traveled much farther than you ever imagined.

I've learned that life doesn't always turn out the way we thought it would. There are seasons we wouldn't have chosen for ourselves and roads we never expected to travel.

But I've also learned that we don't have to let those seasons define the rest of our story.

We can pave another road.

And for those of us who follow Christ, we don't have to figure out that road by ourselves. We can ask God for wisdom, trust Him with our future, and allow Him to direct our steps.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Maybe the road you're on right now isn't where you want to stay.

Maybe it's time to stop looking at the road behind you and start looking at the road ahead.

Maybe it's time to pick up the tools, gather your courage, trust God, and start paving.

Because the road you're walking today doesn't have to be the road you walk forever.

If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.

Your next chapter may be waiting on the other side of a decision to take a different path.

25 Years Later: We Remember 9/11

It’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since September 11, 2001. Twenty-five years. And yet, I can remember that day as clearly as if it happened yesterday.

I had just finished driving my school bus routes that morning and was returning to my car. As I approached the gate, someone was standing there telling me to go home and turn on the news.

When I got home and turned on the television, what I saw was unbelievable. They were showing the replay of the plane crashing into one of the Twin Towers in New York City. And then, as we were watching, we saw it happen live—the second plane flying into the other tower.

The feeling that overcame me in that moment is difficult to put into words.

It was horror.

It was devastation.

It was confusion.

And it was fear.

What do we need to prepare for? What is coming next? Is this a full-scale attack on our country? Do we need to prepare for war?

So much was going through my mind and my heart in those moments.

And then came the realization of just how many lives had been changed forever.

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day. Mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Husbands and wives. Brothers and sisters. Friends, coworkers, first responders, and people simply going about their everyday lives.

And while we remember those who died, we must also remember the countless loved ones who were left behind to carry on without them.

Twenty-five years later, their absence is still felt.

Children grew up without a parent. Spouses had to learn how to move forward without the person they had planned to grow old with. Parents buried their children. Families celebrated birthdays, holidays, graduations, weddings, and other milestones with an empty place at the table.

And then there are the heroes—the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency workers, and ordinary people who ran toward danger while others were running away.

We remember their courage.

We remember their sacrifice.

We remember the families who waited for loved ones who never came home.

And we remember a nation that, for a brief time, seemed to put aside its differences and stand together.

Twenty-five years later, we must never allow ourselves to forget.

Not the lives lost.

Not the families left behind.

Not the courage displayed.

Not the sacrifices made.

And not the way that day changed our country and so many of us personally.

September 11, 2001, is a day we will never forget.

25 years later, we remember. We honor. We grieve. And we will never forget.

May God continue to comfort every family who lost someone that day and every person whose life was forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001.

Never Forget 🇺🇸

Everything I Need Is Found in Him

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

~ 2 Peter 1:3

I love this verse because it reminds me that God has not left us to figure out how to live this life on our own. He has given us everything we need for a godly life.

The Bible is our instruction manual. It teaches us who God is, who we are in Him, how we're called to live, and how our lives can point others toward Him. But even more than that, 2 Peter reminds us that everything we need flows from knowing Him.

And that means so much to me.

I spend a good portion of my time blogging and writing because it's something I genuinely love to do. I believe God has given me a talent for writing, and I want to use that talent for Him.

Will I ever write a #1 bestselling book? Who knows. Maybe I will. Maybe I won't.

But honestly, that's not what matters most to me.

What I want to be known for is pointing to God with my life.

When people look at me, I want them to be able to say, “She really loves God.”

I want His love to pour out of my heart and my life like a drink offering—something freely given for others to partake of. I want my words, my writing, my actions, and even the way I walk through difficult seasons to point people back to Him.

More than anything, I don't want people to spend eternity separated from God. I want people to know Him, love Him, draw near to Him, and hold tightly to His Word.

My life, especially since my twenties, has been incredibly blessed. Not because everything has always been easy—it certainly hasn't—but because I've had the privilege of spending these years pursuing a deeper relationship with the God who has loved me, guided me, carried me, and protected me through so many seasons of life.

There have been incredible highs and some very deep lows.

There have been seasons when I've felt strong and seasons when I've felt like I had nothing left to give.

But through all of it, God has been there.

He has been the light at the end of the tunnel.

He has been my refuge when I needed somewhere to run.

He has been my strength when I didn't have any of my own.

He has been my hope when circumstances gave me every reason to lose it.

He is my source of life.

I know with everything in me that I wouldn't be the woman I am today or be living the life I'm living today if it weren't for Him.

He is my everything.

And the longer I walk with Him, the deeper my love for Him becomes. Because the more I know Him, the more I understand just how completely He loves me.

His love isn't dependent upon my perfection. It isn't dependent upon whether I get everything right. His love doesn't disappear when I stumble or fall short.

His love is unconditional. His love has no end.

And I don't just want to know that as a theological truth.

I want to know it in the depths of my being.

I want my life to be a living testimony of what happens when you surrender your life to God and continue walking with Him through every season.

Because He really has given us everything we need for a godly life.

And ultimately, everything we need is found in Him.

At the end of the day, knowing that feels pretty incredible.

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

We spent Labor Day weekend at my sister-in-law’s house in Kentucky.

She and her husband were in a horrible accident back in June, and he was left with no feeling from his waist down and is wheelchair bound, for now. We're praying and believing for God to heal him and for him to walk again.

Before they could come back home, their house had to be made wheelchair accessible. Let me tell you—there is a lot that goes into making a home accessible for someone in a wheelchair.

Their entire master suite had to be gutted and revamped, all the way into the master bathroom and shower. Doorways had to be widened. Two new doors had to be added at entry points with another entry door stilling needing to be replaced. They had to have two entry and exit ramps installed, a ramp in their great room had to be installed, with one more still needing to be added at another entry. It’s not just about making things convenient. It’s about making sure he has a way to get in and out of the house safely, especially in an emergency.

Everything from their master suite had to be removed and put into storage bins and bags, which were scattered throughout the house wherever there was room.

Their formal dining room had become a disaster. There was just enough room to squeeze a wheelchair through, with things piled everywhere.

So, that’s what we spent our weekend doing—working through the mess left behind by all the construction and workers and putting things back where they belonged.

Below, I’m sharing the after pictures of the two spaces that were probably the worst.

Imagine the dining room being so crowded that you could barely squeeze a wheelchair through it, with stuff piled everywhere. Now look at it.

A vast improvement from what we saw when we arrived.

The other space I’m showing you is their hangout space—the place where everyone gathers. The pool table was covered with stuff, and buckets and bags were piled all around it, filled with things that needed to be sorted through. Even the pinball machine had things piled on top of it.

Now look at it.

A much more organized and usable space.

And honestly, that was our goal.

We wanted my sister-in-law to be able to walk—or, in this season, live and breathe—in her own spaces without feeling overwhelmed by everything around her.

We wanted her and her husband to feel comfortable in their home again.

That was why we went to Kentucky this weekend.

And honestly, there was no place we would rather have been than right there, helping our family.

Because Family Is Everything!

Family is there when life gets hard. Family steps in when there is work to be done. Family doesn't always wait to be asked.

We do for one another because we love one another.

There is nothing we wouldn’t do for our family, and we know there is nothing they wouldn’t do for us either.

That’s love on display at its deepest level.

That’s walking love out the way God intended.

We can all talk a good game. We can say we love people. We can say we’re there for them.

But are we actually walking the walk?

Because walking the walk means being there when it counts. It means showing up in ways that only you can show up.

You are unique.

And what you bring to your family is unique, too.

So don’t ever take your place in your family for granted. Don’t convince yourself that what you have to offer isn’t needed.

You are needed.

God placed you in your family for a reason.

And while you have the opportunity, love your family. Show up for them. Do for them. Make the memories. Say the words. Be there when they need you.

Because the truth is, we aren’t promised tomorrow. One day, there may be things you wish you had said or done, but the opportunity will be gone.

So love them while you can. Serve them while you can. Help them while you can. Don’t wait for tomorrow to show someone you love them when you have today.

Sometimes love looks like a hug.

Sometimes it looks like a prayer.

And sometimes it looks like spending your Labor Day weekend cleaning out rooms so someone you love can finally breathe again in their own home.

That’s family.
That’s love.
That’s walking the walk.

                 

I Know Because I’ve Lived It

I love this verse.

It makes me feel seen, loved, and protected.

I know that God sees me. Nothing escapes His sight.

I know that God hears me. He listens to every prayer I pray—the long, heartfelt prayers and the short ones I whisper throughout the day.

I know that God protects me. He is my refuge and my strength.

And I don't just know these things because I've read them in Scripture. I really know them because I've lived them. I've experienced them. I've felt them to the depths of my soul.

God has protected me from so many things that could have taken my life, but I'm still here.

He has carried me through things I didn't think I would survive. He has brought me through valleys I never wanted to walk through and given me a peace that truly does pass all understanding. That peace has become more than a feeling for me. It has taken up residence deep within my soul.

I don't have to wonder if God is listening when I pray.

Whether I'm spending quiet time in deep prayer with Him or simply talking to Him throughout my day, I know He is there. I may not always feel His presence in the same way, but I have learned that His presence doesn't depend on my feelings.

I didn't begin experiencing this depth of relationship with God until I was in my twenties. Those years were incredibly significant in my walk with Him. God healed so much in me during that season, and He also gave me a deeper knowledge of who He is through some incredible teachers at Bible college.

I grew tremendously in those years, and that growth has continued throughout my life.

Have I had seasons when I've fallen off in my walk with God?

Of course I have.

I've had times when I've been distracted, discouraged, spiritually dry, or simply not as intentional about pursuing Him as I should have been. I've had my hill-and-valley moments just like everyone else.

But one thing I've learned is that God has always been faithful to draw me back.

Even when I have wandered, He hasn't.

Even when I haven't felt close to Him, He hasn't moved.

Even in the valley, He has been there.

That's one of the beautiful things about our relationship with God. We will have hills and valleys throughout this life, but His presence remains constant through all of them.

That's why Psalm 91:11 means so much to me.

It reminds me that I am not walking through this life alone. God is watching over me. He cares about me. He knows what I face, and He is able to protect and keep me in ways I may never even realize.

I don't believe this means that nothing difficult will ever happen to us. Life still brings pain, disappointment, loss, trials, and things we don't understand.

But I do believe that God is with us through every one of them.

He is our refuge.

He is our strength.

He is our protector.

And He is faithful.

At the same time, we have a responsibility to keep turning our eyes and hearts toward Him. We need to stay in His Word, talk to Him, listen for His direction, and remain willing to follow where He leads.

Not because God can't work without us, but because I want my heart to be in a place where I recognize His work in my life and willingly participate in what He is doing.

That matters to me more than anything.

I don't want to simply know about God.

I want to know Him.

I want to recognize His voice.

I want to trust Him when I can't see what He's doing.

I want to rest in Him when life feels uncertain.

And I want to be able to look back over my life and say, “I know He is faithful because I've lived it.”

Psalm 91:11 is a beautiful reminder that I am seen, I am loved, and I am never alone.

And after everything God has brought me through, I can say with all my heart:

I know He is there.

I know He hears me.

I know He loves me.

And I know He is watching over me.

WHEN EVERYTHING AROUND ME CHANGES, JESUS DOESN’T

WHEN EVERYTHING AROUND ME CHANGES, JESUS DOESN’T

There are some Bible verses that you read, and then there are some that seem to meet you exactly where you are.

Hebrews 13:8 is one of those verses for me.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

There is something deeply comforting about those words, especially when you’ve lived long enough to realize just how much life can change.

I’ve experienced seasons I never expected. I’ve watched people I love grow older. I’ve said goodbye to people I never thought I’d have to live without. I’ve watched my family go through different seasons and watched my own life change in ways I never could have planned.

Some changes have been wonderful. Others have been painful.

And if I’m being completely honest, there have been times when the changes around me have left me feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, and even a little afraid of what might come next.

But through every season, there has been one constant:

Jesus.

He hasn't changed.

When I look back at the girl I was years ago, I can see how much I’ve changed. My life is different. My circumstances are different. My priorities are different. Even the way I understand certain things about God has grown and deepened.

But Jesus?

He is still the same Jesus who met me where I was.

The same Jesus who loved me when I didn't have everything figured out.

The same Jesus who was patient with me when I struggled to trust Him.

The same Jesus who carried me through moments when I didn't know how I was going to make it through.

And the same Jesus who has been faithful in the past is the Jesus I can trust with my future.

That means a lot to me.

Because sometimes I don't know what tomorrow is going to look like.

I don't know what changes are coming. I don't know what doors will open or close. I don't know what challenges my family or I may face. I don't know what God is going to ask me to walk through next.

But I do know who will be walking through it with me.

And that changes everything.

I can look back and see God's faithfulness.

I can look at today and know that He is still with me.

And I can look toward tomorrow knowing that He will still be there.

Yesterday. Today. Forever.

His love doesn't change.
His character doesn't change.
His promises don't change.
His faithfulness doesn't change.
His presence doesn't change.

I may have days when my faith feels stronger than others. I may have moments when I don't understand what God is doing. I may have times when I struggle with fear or uncertainty.

But my feelings don't change who He is.

Jesus is still Jesus.

And maybe that's what I need to remind myself of more often.

I don't have to have tomorrow figured out.

I don't have to know how every situation is going to work out.

I just need to remember who holds tomorrow.

Because the One who has been faithful through every yesterday is the One who is faithful today—and He will still be faithful forever.

Everything around me may change, but Jesus never will.

And for me, that's where the peace is.

Happy Labor Day!

I know everything is still green right now, but it won't be long before the saying in the picture above holds true:

“As the greens of SUMMER give way to the reds & golds of AUTUMN, here's wishing you a beautiful & relaxing LABOR DAY!”

Summer is beginning to wind down, and autumn is quietly making its way toward us, bringing with it the beautiful reds, oranges, yellows, and golds that make this season so special.

There is something about this transition that I love. The changing of the seasons reminds us that life is always moving forward. One season gives way to another, bringing new beauty, new opportunities, and new memories to be made.

As you celebrate Labor Day, I hope you and your family and friends have a wonderful and blessed day.

May the weather cooperate with whatever adventures you have planned, whether you're heading out somewhere special, gathering with family and friends, firing up the grill, or simply enjoying a quiet day at home.

And don't forget to take some time to relax.

We live in such a busy world. There always seems to be something that needs to be done, somewhere we need to be, or someone who needs our attention. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to simply slow down and enjoy the moment.

So today, be intentional about making time to rest.

Put the to-do list aside for a little while. Sit outside. Enjoy a good meal. Laugh with the people you love. Take a walk. Watch the sunset. Or simply sit back and breathe.

Whatever you do, I hope you take the time to enjoy this day and make memories that you will cherish for years to come.

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

May your day be filled with beautiful moments, good weather, laughter, relaxation, and the people you love.

And before we know it, those beautiful greens of summer will be giving way to the magnificent reds and golds of autumn. 🍂

(my concept but AI made it look better)

Happy Birthday, Dad

This year, your birthday falls on Labor Day.

And like so many years since you passed away, I find myself thinking about all the moments that have been missed.

You never got to meet or know Tim. He’s an amazing young man, and I know you would be so proud of him. He has your eyes. I’m reminded of you every time I look into them.

So much life has happened in the 24 years since you’ve been gone.

There are many things I’m sure you would be glad you weren’t here to see. But there are also so many things I wish you could have been here for. Milestones. Memories. Changes. The ordinary, everyday moments that somehow become the most important ones.

Life was never easy with you, Dad. There were things that happened that left wounds, and there were things I didn’t understand when I was younger.

But through it all, all of us kids still loved you.

And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand something I couldn’t fully see back then—you had a hard life, too.

You lived through things that most people probably wouldn’t have been able to survive, and somehow, you did. The things you experienced shaped you. They impacted the way you lived, the way you loved, the way you responded to life, and so many of the choices you made.

Looking back now, I can see some of that much more clearly.

That doesn’t erase the hard things. It doesn’t change the things that hurt. But understanding more about what shaped you has given me a different perspective. I can hold the good and the painful memories together and simply say, You were my dad, and I loved you.

I often wonder what you would think of my life now.

I wonder what you would say about Tim. I wonder what you would think about the woman I’ve become. I wonder about all the conversations we never got to have.

I pray that you are in Heaven celebrating your 77th birthday with your mom—the woman you loved so much and talked about so often with us kids.

I wish I had known her.

I hope she is there, too, and that someday, when I get to Heaven, I’ll finally have the chance to meet her.

One thing I’m especially grateful for is the Cherokee heritage you and she gave me.

Knowing who you are and where you come from is important. It’s a part of my story—a part of where I came from—and I’m thankful to carry that with me.

Twenty-four years is a long time.

Yet sometimes it feels like yesterday.

There will always be things I wish had been different. There will always be questions I wish I could ask. And there will always be moments when I wish you were here.

But today, on your birthday, I choose to remember.

I remember the good.

I acknowledge the hard.

I’m grateful for the life you gave me.

And I love you, Dad.

Happy 77th Birthday.

Until we meet again.

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE

A friend told my husband one time,

“All ways lead to God at the judgment seat, but only one way gets you past that.”

That statement has stuck with me because there is so much truth packed into it.

One day, every person will stand before God. No matter what we believe, what path we have taken, or what we have placed our trust in, we will all ultimately stand before our Creator.

But the Bible makes it very clear that there is only one Way to the Father.

Jesus said:

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
— John 14:6

Jesus didn't say He was a way.

He said He was the Way.

He didn't say He would show us a truth.

He said He was the Truth.

And He didn't say He could simply improve our lives.

He said He was the Life.

That is an exclusive statement. There aren't multiple roads that ultimately lead us to God. There aren't many different truths that contradict one another but somehow all arrive at the same destination.

There is one Way to the Father, and His name is Jesus.

Jesus Is the Truth

Scripture teaches us that God is truth, and because Jesus is God, everything Jesus spoke was truth.

Jesus didn't come speaking His own opinions or offering suggestions about how we should live. He spoke the words the Father gave Him.

His words are trustworthy because He is trustworthy.

And because we know who Jesus is, we can have confidence that not one word He has spoken will ultimately fail.

That is why we can trust the Bible.

God's Word isn't simply a collection of ancient writings containing helpful advice. It reveals the character of God, points us to Christ, exposes lies, teaches us what is true, and gives us the foundation upon which we can build our lives.

Augustine wrote:

“Wherever truth is found, it belongs to God: All truth is God's truth.”

I love that thought.

Every true thing we discover about God's creation ultimately belongs to Him because He is the Creator of it all.

When scientists discover something that is true about the universe, they aren't discovering something that exists outside of God's authority. When we learn something true about how the human body works, how nature operates, or how the world around us functions, we are simply discovering more about a creation that already belongs to God.

Nothing is outside His domain.

Truth doesn't threaten our faith.

Truth belongs to God.

How Do We Know What Is True?

That question is especially important in the world we live in today.

There are so many voices competing for our attention. Everyone seems to have an opinion. Everyone has an answer. Everyone wants us to believe that their version of the truth is the right one.

But not every voice speaks truth.

So how do we discern the difference between truth and lies?

My Application Bible puts it beautifully:

“In today’s world, it can be difficult to know what is true. So many voices clamor for our attention and claim to have the right answer, the true answer. Truth is so important in society and in relationships. It is necessary for trust. It is necessary for justice. So how do we pick through the lies and find the truth? In order to know truth, we must know God. When we immerse ourselves in His Word and cultivate a relationship with Him through prayer, we will find that we can discern the truth from lies because we will become transformed into a person more and more like Jesus (Romans 12:2). As we remain in Him, we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free (John 8:31–32).”

In order to recognize a counterfeit, we have to know the genuine.

The more we know God's Word, the more familiar we become with His voice, His character, His ways, and His truth.

The more time we spend with Him in prayer and in His Word, the more He transforms the way we think.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:2:

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

This is why knowing God's Word matters so much.

We don't study Scripture simply so we can know more about the Bible.

We study it so we can know God.

And the more we know Him, the more clearly we can recognize what is true.

There Is Only One Way

Going back to that statement my husband's friend made:

“All ways lead to God at the judgment seat, but only one way gets you past that.”

That is a sobering thought.

There will come a day when every one of us stands before God.

Our accomplishments won't be enough.

Our good intentions won't be enough.

Being a good person won't be enough.

Following our own version of truth won't be enough.

There is only one Way.

Jesus.

He is the Way to the Father.

He is the Truth we can trust.

And He is the Life we desperately need.

So when the world tells us there are many paths to God, we need to remember what Jesus Himself said.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

That isn't a statement we need to apologize for.

It is a truth we need to hold onto.

Because when everything else is stripped away—when every opinion, every philosophy, every argument, and every competing voice falls silent—the Truth will still be standing.

And His name is Jesus.

Know the Truth.
Know the Word.
Know Jesus.

Because Jesus isn't simply the One who shows us the way.

Jesus IS the Way.

When God Changes Our Plans

I love this verse because it reminds me that we can make all the plans we want, but ultimately, the Lord is the One who establishes our steps.

I don't know about you, but I like to have a plan. I like knowing where I'm going, what I'm doing, and what comes next. There is something comforting about having things figured out.

But life doesn't always work that way, does it?

We make our plans, and then God sometimes takes us in a completely different direction.

Sometimes He opens doors we never expected.

Sometimes He closes doors we were sure we were supposed to walk through.

Sometimes He changes our plans so completely that we find ourselves wondering, “Lord, what are You doing?”

I've had plenty of moments like that in my own life.

I've had things I thought would happen that didn't. I've had plans that didn't work out the way I thought they would. And I've had seasons where I simply had to trust God even though I couldn't see where He was leading me.

And that's really what this verse comes down to for me: trust.

I can make my plans, but I have to remember that God sees what I can't see.

He knows what's ahead.

He knows what is best for me.

He knows the people I'll meet, the circumstances I'll face, the opportunities that will come, and even the things I may never understand this side of heaven.

I see the step in front of me. God sees the entire path.

Sometimes we may wonder why God didn't allow something to happen the way we wanted. We may not understand why He closed a particular door or why He took us down a road we never intended to travel.

But I've learned that just because something doesn't go according to my plan doesn't mean it isn't going according to His plan.

Sometimes what we think is a detour is actually God's direction.

Sometimes a closed door is God's protection.

Sometimes a delay is God's preparation.

And sometimes God takes us somewhere we never planned to go because He knows that's exactly where we need to be.

So yes, make your plans. Dream your dreams. Set your goals. Make wise decisions and do your best to move forward.

But don't forget to leave room for God to change those plans.

Because if my plans don't line up with His, His plan is going to win out anyway.

And honestly, I'm okay with that.

Because I would much rather have God establish my steps than spend my life trying to establish them myself.

I may not always understand where He's taking me, but I can trust the One who is leading me.

He knows the way. He knows the destination. And He knows every step in between.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”
— Proverbs 16:9