Blue sky every where I look today, perfect periwinkle sky, clear and sunny. Nothing to mar the blue sky canvas but a few crows and a few buzzards flying around warming their wing feathers in the bright sun. Kinda looks like a spring morning but it’s cold and I can feel the winds’ cool teeth in the winter breeze. The wind has been strong at times beating a winter carol out of the wind chimes.

The pansies are just beautiful with the sunshine kissing their purple petals, standing tall, their little faces upturned in morning prayer. Pansies remind me of little old ladies with timeworn smiles, skinny with smoky grey hair, dressed in a shirtwaist, sensible square toed shoes, strapped and low heeled, little patent leather purses resting on the crook of their arms, beauty parlor born every Saturday so their curls stay till church on Sunday. And they probably sit on their same pew every Sunday and don’t want to see you in their seat when they walk down the aisle. Nothing turns that grey hair red faster than them walking down the church aisle seeing you occupying their pew. Trust me, been there and done that complete with the look and the lecture.

Was walking Penelope when the hour of sunset started ticking down. I had been watching a pale peach light surround the horizon as we walked the sidewalk and I knew it was going to be a glorious sunset because Father Sky had sketched line clouds across the sky for her to color. At first glance I could see the sun getting ready to step on the stage, partially hidden by a huge old oak tree, but I could see her blinding beacon of silver light through the oaks’ branches. Mother Nature was waiting to orchestrate the sunset pageant and when the sun stepped on the horizon delicate colors, reminding me of glass bottles of Nehi soda, began appearing across the skyline. Mother Nature lightly stroked her watercolors across the sky in pale layers of Nehi’s flavors of lemonade, grape, peach, orange, and blue cream. Made me thirsty for the strawberry Nehi of my youth watching the colors brighten and fade in the background, so beautiful in the paleness of candy colors of soda washing away into the soft twilight. You know there is a God in heaven when you see a magnificent sunset.

Today’s quote in my book reads, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters,” Epictetus. An old Yiddish proverb says, “We plan, God laughs.” Been thinking about God laughing. He gave us the gift of laughter so he must have laughter in his heaven. But I know God enjoys laughter in his heart, too, as he watches his creations bumble and fumble through life. I know he has a sense of humor, too. Biblical scripture mentions God laughing. In Psalm 2:4 we read, “He who sits in the heavens laughs.”

God doesn’t laugh at us when our plans go astray, he just guides us to the new plan he’s put in place. He doesn’t abandon us when things fall apart. Life happens, life is unpredictable and we can let it wash over us and knock us down or we can face the storms holding hands with God. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” I know I use that verse a lot in my writing but it’s one of my favorites. I’ve learned to trust God when my life takes a turn I can’t understand. We can’t fight God’s will.

Even when our plans align unexpected events occur that alter our path. If we are committed to following God‘s path for our lives we surrender to him making it easier to be flexible in navigating the twists and turns on our journeys. We learn from our life experiences that joys and sorrows are natural parts of the flow of life. Rudyard Kipling wrote in his poem, If, “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same…You are a better man than most.”

Jesus says, “Rise, do not be afraid.” When your path doesn’t lead you where you want to go, remember God is in control. Pray when the path is rocky and reach for God’s steadying hands. God is always involved in our plans. Scripture in Proverbs states, “The plans of the heart belong to man. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” When God changes our plans we are blessed down a new path with God’s grace.

“God’s plan is always the best. Sometimes the process is painful and hard. But don’t forget that when God is silent, He is doing something good for you.” — Unknown