A turn of events

It's amazing how often we think we have it all figured out: we know what path our life will take and how wer are going to get there. Yet very rarely does it actually turn out that way. There is a saying that goes, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans."

This has been proven true over and over again in my life. Early in my teenage years I was going to go to college, major in political science and rhetoric, go to law school and eventually go into politics. Later it was I was going to major in music and become a music teacher. These both were thrown to the wayside when God sent me a blessing in disguise my senior year: my son.

My husband (boyfriend at the time) and I drastically changed plans. Now we were going to get married. My expectation/hope was he was going to become this world-famous scientist--or at least a well-paid college professor--and I would be well taken care of. Well, guess what? God had a chuckle or two over that as well.

My husband left his doctorate program and eventually worked towards becoming a licensed science teacher for grades 6-12. (Being married to a school teacher does not sound as glamourous as being married to a college professor) And actually I think he is doing some wonderful things at the school he works at: he has revised two curricula and written new curricula for two one-year courses and a couple of semester-long courses. He serves as a mentor for the new teachers on staff. He also works alongside the administrator to help get things done. He may have had the plan to "do" science but he has a real gift for teaching students what it means to "do" science.

Then of course we started making plans again. This time I was going to college--for the second time--to get my nursing degree. I had a great first semester, and me second semester is going fairly well also. However, getting into the nursing program was not as straight forward as I had envisioned.

So now I am looking at my life and asking God what it is that He has in store for me now. I'm thinking that perhaps He is giving me time as a gift: time to work on some other things I have started but put off. This may be an opportunity for me to work on becoming a certified childbirth educator and perhaps look at other programs that would allow me to work with women.

As my son was telling me when he was going through confirmation instruction, God answers prayers three ways: "Yes" "Not yet" or "No, I have something better in store for you."

So it's time for me to keep my heart open to His guidance and see what He may have in store for me while I sit at number 59 on the alternate list. Perhaps I will get in this year, perhaps not. But whatever happens, I can be sure that God is in control and that I just need to follow Him. And if I get too far out there and start doing my own thing . . . . well, I know God has a sense of humor and is probably laughing and my human foolishness once again.