February 22
God’s Plans
Are Greater
"A person may have many plans in their heart. But the Lord’s purpose wins out in the end."
Proverbs 19:21 (NIrV)
Carla and Mitch had been dreaming about their wedding day for years. Every detail had been meticulously planned: the soft glow of the sunset on the beach, the sound of gentle waves as they exchanged vows, and the laughter of family and friends as they celebrated.
But when the morning of the wedding arrived, so did the storm clouds. Carla stared out the window of her hotel room as sheets of rain drenched the sandy beach. The wind howled, and waves crashed violently against the shore. The wedding planner called with bad news: the beach ceremony was impossible.
Carla felt tears stream down her face. “This was supposed to be perfect,” she whispered. Mitch tried to console her, but his own frustration was evident. They had poured their hearts, time, and savings into this day, and now everything seemed ruined.
After a moment of silence, Mitch suggested, “Let’s pray.” Carla hesitated. She grew up hearing about trusting God, but in this moment, all she felt was disappointment. Still, she took Mitch’s hand.
“Lord,” Mitch began, “we don’t understand why this is happening, but we know You see the bigger picture. Please help us to trust Your plan, even if it’s not what we imagined.”
As they finished praying, Carla felt a small sense of calm wash over her. It wasn’t the resolution she hoped for, but it was enough to face the next step.
With the help of their family, the wedding was moved indoors to a small, rustic chapel nearby. What Carla and Mitch hadn’t planned for was how the intimacy of the new setting would make the ceremony even more special. The storm outside made the warm glow of candles inside feel like a sanctuary.
As they said their vows, Carla glanced at the faces of their loved ones, who were closer than they would have been on the beach. She realized that while the location had changed, the love and commitment they shared—and God’s presence—remained constant.
Later, as they danced under the twinkling lights of the chapel, Carla whispered to Mitch, “This wasn’t the plan, but it’s better than I could have imagined.”
Reflecting on the day, Proverbs 19:21 came to mind: “A person may have many plans in their heart. But the Lord’s purpose wins out in the end.”
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us that Your plans are always greater than ours.
Like Carla and Mitch, we often feel disappointed when life doesn’t go as we expect.
But we trust that You see the bigger picture and have a purpose for everything.
Help us to let go of our own plans and lean into Your perfect will.
Thank You for turning even life’s storms into blessings.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
