Our plans do not always align with God’s plans
MDP 2-25-2023
A gentle reminder that our plans do not always align with God’s plans.
Flights canceled, rescheduled, flights canceled again, another reschedule. Wait… another flight canceled then rescheduled. I was told by family and friends: “Is this a sign you shouldn’t go?”
No, this was NOT a sign we should stay home and cancel. This is a gentle reminder we are not in control. God has a plan for us. Yes, God tested our patience, at times made us wait for answers about getting new flights and new reservations and taught us once again to let his plan be revealed to us at some unknown time.
Our final flight finally arrived in Tuxla late this morning. We were greeted with grateful hearts and expressions of joy from the Pastorial Social Volunteers who drove us to meet Vicente, our trusted driver for many years, at the usual retreat center in Tuxla.
We arrived in Tecpatan this afternoon in time to quickly set up clinic and see patients until early evening before enjoying a wonderful dinner prepared by the nuns in the convent. After being in airports for the past several days, a homecooked meal felt like we were eating at a fine restaurant. But maybe that’s because our meal was “prepared with great Love” as one of the nuns stated to me tonight.
The community and nuns were overjoyed to see us arrive this afternoon. Local volunteers had the area in the old 1500 Convent prepared and ready to see patients. The area was already full of people patiently waiting to be seen. The beautiful spacious location of the clinic, the atmosphere of the old 1500 Convent, the looks and gestures of gratitude and excitement of our arrival expressed by the nuns, local volunteers, and the patients we served reassured us that YES, this IS a sign we were meant to be here.
The journey here did not go according to our plans. At times there were so many uncertainties and unexpected changes in travel plans that challenged us in so many ways. However, from time-to-time God sends us a gentle reminder that our plans sometimes do not always align with his plans. Yes, this is where we are meant to be today.
Trust, have Faith, and above all Love.
Nancy Linder