Encouraging Words for Life's Interruptions

Have you ever heard the saying, 'life happens while you are busy making plans?'

What happens when life doesn't go according to the plan?

My father-in-law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last week. He has stayed upbeat for now. In fact, he told them after he received chemo, "Why I believe I feel better already!" He said he just "believes he's a little different than the average Joe, because he's got such an army of prayer support and why would God give him such good results from his heart surgery last year to take him so soon from this cancer?"

My friend, Erika, had a down's syndrome baby last night. Mike immediately sent this email. "We obviously were not expecting this, but praise GOD that he has blessed us with her and blessed her with two God-loving parents and four siblings who absolutely adore her!"

I read this quote from Henri Nouwen that helps me get a handle on what is happening when life takes an unexpected turn.

"That is the great conversion in our life: to recognize and believe that the many unexpected events are not just disturbing interruptions of our projects, but the way in which God molds our hearts and prepares us for his return."

Be encouraged. God chooses unexpected paths for our lives to invite us to a deeper level of intimacy with him than we would have ever thought of on our own.

Hold on. The end result will be better than we ever dreamed.