Have you ever made all your own plans only to have them changed into something better than you could have imagined?
A day after my daughter turned 5, she asked to go to Elmo’s World, known to the rest of us as Sesame place for her 6th birthday. In case you didn’t realize it, my daughter got her planning gene from me – we can plan for things years in advance.
Throughout the course of the year, she reminded me that for her 6th birthday she wanted a trip to Elmo’s World. So, when we were a few months out, I started planning the logistics. I bought tickets for a set date and then tried to figure out how to get there.
A few weeks before, I looked and saw that tickets were cheaper than what I had originally bought, and there was another reason I needed to change them. I called up, even though I knew I had non-refundable tickets. The girl and I talked and laughed, and she changed the tickets and gave me the better priced ones with more flexibility.
On the day of, I took an Uber for the first time. I don’t like new adventures, so I planned for days before how to take my first Uber. It was a 15 minute drive from the train stop in New Jersey, to Sesame Place. The Uber driver was friendly and open, sharing things that I would never have shared. But… as I listened to her share her life, I became more open too and shared my very personal experiences and the lessons I learned the hard way. When I was about to leave the car, I asked if I could pray for her. By the time we were done, we were both in tears.
Upon walking in Sesame Place, I knew that I had just had a divine appointment, and one only God could have arranged.
Sometimes our appointments are for others to help us. Sometimes our appointments are for us to help others. Let us not miss those blessings because we are too self focused or angry because things did not work out as we originally planned.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you show up for us. Thank you that we are able to share with strangers and that strangers can come along side us in our journeys. Lord, help us to remember that you can make our paths straight, no matter how crooked we may think they are.