Detours~

Greetings~

I finally straightened out all the mess with my name at the Social Security office and was able to get my Driver’s License. For once, I came out semi-decent in my picture, and for that I rejoice!

But wait—there’s even better news: RAYRAY IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I waited a long time to write this DEVO, and now that the day has arrived, I am doing so with uncontrollable joy in my heart, and I pray these words will be an amazing encouragement for all you praying people out there.

Where to begin?

We parents carry such a burden for our children, and sometimes it is painful. Sometimes it is difficult. Sometimes it is agonizing. Sometimes we wonder whether God is even listening. Sometimes we throw our hands up and give in to despair. But then it all comes together, and we have a better understanding of what God was up to.

Rayray graduated college in May of 2012. At that point she had already applied for Grad School and was waiting for the answer. All her little ducks were in a row—her grades were there, her extra curriculars were there, and please, her mother was praying hard.

And then we get the news that a clerical error was responsible for her not getting into the program. It was discovered too late and Rayray was told she would have to wait a year.

THE HORROR! This did not line up with Rayray’s plan for her life, and frankly, nor with my plan for her.

But at this point in my journey with Jesus, I know enough to know that I am not God. That’s right. I do not always know best, nor am I capable of making all decisions on my own. And I don’t have it all figured out—not even close.

So I looked at my baby square in her disappointed face and promised her that there was no reason to freak out. God was in control—not some putz in the admissions office.

At least Rayray had a job. A friend of a friend of mine mentioned something about a Charter School that was looking for a volleyball coach, and Rayray wound up being hired on the spot. All this was in September of 2012.

I remember Rayray trudging off to practice those first few days—not totally hating it but feeling like it was a royal waste of time when she would rather continue in her studies.

At one point she said to me, “Mother, I know God has a plan, but this detour stinks!”

And I said, “Rayray, sometimes the greatest gifts are found where you least expect them. Trust Him.”

And wouldn’t you know that during her very first game the referee at the game invited her to a meeting for club volleyball. He thought she would be a great coach during the off season. Rayray, who was looking to keep busy, went to the meeting and then came home slightly disappointed because there weren’t enough kids for her to have her own team. There was, however, a spot as an assistant with some guy coach.

That “some guy,” is now her fiancé, and we are all praising God!

More tomorrow J

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Activate Your plans to prosper us and give us the future we have hoped for—for ourselves and our children. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~