Make Sure in Your Planning You Remember God

Our Plans and God's Plans

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of preparation for one vocation only to end up doing something completely different? Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our minds what we believe we want to do only to have a course correction. Often the course correction comes through a major crisis that forces us into an area that we would never have considered.

Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse grew up desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented and internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a living as an artist in America during that time. A series of crises further complicated his vocational desire when his wife died; then his mother and father also died soon after. He went to Europe to paint and reflect on his life. On his return trip aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about new experiments in electromagnetism. During that important occasion, Morse made the following comment, "If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by electricity." In the face of many difficulties and disappointments, he determinedly perfected a new invention, and, in 1837, applied for a patent that became what we know today as the telegraph. He also created Morse code. It was only later, after many more setbacks and disappointments, that his projects received funding.
Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction of Providence." Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester, Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]

God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural inclination. Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead to His ultimate destination for you. Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He shall direct your path (see Prov. 3:5-6).


Some of you may have read the poem Kaleidoscope Butterfly already. Even if you have take the time to read it again and reflect on what Os was speaking of today. My prayers and love rain down on each of you.
I thank each of you for your continued prayers for my restoration in all ways...
Candace



Kaleidoscope Butterfly

Nonsensical confidence of solid ground,
Amidst dissuading movement of all that abounds,
Without hesitation, reclined on this plane,
Seemingly anchored, as all life forms sway.
So subtle the wind, as it tousles the limbs,
Crisp wisps of foliage, giggling on end,
Now deeply planted as one with the earth,
All tension draining, giving rise to a breath like a birth.
Embraced by my nostrils, is this fragrant bouquet,
Engulfing my being like a gentle, rolling wave.
Not losing one moment, deeply merged, now entwined,
Is this peaceful pristine beauty-- so delicately floating by.
I capture each moment, gently cupped in my hands,
Like a kaleidoscope butterfly on a whimsical spring day,
Not desiring to tarnish her beauty or hesitate her fluttering flight,
Simply to pause her passage, embrace the vision, before she vanishes from sight.

Ambiguous perceptions, my reality shifts,
In slow motion, drawn backward, to the ground I drift.
Though I reach the same destination, it is as a child I now lay,
Overhead, in my innocence, I see life the clouds;
What form they take and how long they stay?
Mom look, it’s a dragon…. blowing fire… do you see?
Too late mom, it’s a pig now… see there… bouncing that ball?

Creating new memories, skillfully blending the past,
Aromatic spices comprised of rich seasons that pass.
My hunger now satisfied and its’ appetite well-fed,
While gathering stray belongings, my mind desires to reflect:

Plantings and seedlings and how they all fit;
A harvest though abundant, the choice is a producers’ pick;
Trust and faith are gold nuggets - material value cannot be obtained;
Never cling to today’s reality, for tomorrow it will change;
Even cold, callous winters are forgiven amidst soft summer rain;
And though flowers emit fragrance, wearing beauty as clothes,
Only God determines her season… and through His will she grows.

©Poem – Kaleidoscope Butterfly /
by Candace K. Huffmaster / Date April 2005