Derailed and Redirected

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

We had plans.

After a 12:30 appointment with his surgeon, Steve and I were going to take the afternoon to explore San Francisco. We had one day before his knee surgery to get in a little sight seeing. It seemed silly to waste this trip across the country without getting in a little fun.

We parked outside the doctor’s office all smiles. Warm sun embraced us through blue skies. The Golden Gate Bridge loomed large in the distance just beyond a sign that read “scenic route.” It seemed a fitting direction to head once we finished with the surgeon.

Only our quick visit with the doctor turned into 4 ½ hours. We never made it to the Golden Gate.

Do you ever have days when frustration tries to rob your joy? Things just don’t happen the way you thought they would—or should—and the temptation to let irritation run free knocks hard at the door of your heart.

Thankfully our prayer cover equipped us to remain smiling. And then we discovered why God had allowed this doctor to thwart our plans.

Something about our conversation caused him to revisit the MRI. And he saw something he hadn’t seen. A tear had revealed itself in my husband’s meniscus on the inner part of his knee that hadn’t been scheduled for surgery.

So he called us over to show us the pictures and change his diagnosis. He wanted to add another surgery to address the damage on the other side that wouldn’t be reached with the original procedure.

The next morning my husband and I arrived at the surgical center at 6:30 am. Instead of the original 1½-hour surgery we’d planned, Steve was under anesthesia for four hours while they operated on the two parts of his knee.

When the doctor came to get me, he assured me the patient had done great. The surgeries had been successful. Both of them. He smiled confidently, happy with his decision and optimistic that catching that tear would leave my husband pain free once healed.

I’d say those few extra hours in the office were worth missing the scenic route.

What obstacle threatens to frustrate your plans, dear one? Perhaps the Lord has something beautiful to bring out of it. Something you’ve missed or haven’t thought of. Something meant to prosper you, even if momentarily it appears to harm you.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I’m thankful that God established ours. We had asked Him to reveal any hidden things, and He was faithful to do it.

Now I just need a little extra grace to help this teacher become a nurse.

Time to go. My patient needs me.

2 replies
  1. Gary
    Gary says:

    Even in a dire time in the PICU, we can still see God’s hand and timing when we stop for a monent and look at the bigger picture.

    Reply
  2. Randy Hilker
    Randy Hilker says:

    great story , when faye and i went to help our daughter Jen move from san deigo to tacoma washington things went a little different than expected. but looking back we know God was with us as always. Hope steves healing is comming along. Randy Hilker

    Reply

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