Thankful for messed up plans

 

This morning I left my car windows open a little while I was at work. About 10 minutes before I left the office, the heavens opened, and it rained. At first a nice, gentle rain but then it was a bit more sincere rain. Really? The rain couldn’t have waited 10 more minutes? I wasn’t about to run out to the car, roll up the windows, come back to the office for five minutes and then go back out, getting soaked in the process. So I just resigned myself to the fact that the inside of my car would be wet. And indeed it was. The plan today was to run an errand after work to pick up some meat to cook for dinner. But with how wet I was feeling sitting in my car thanks to a wet car seat, plan B was to just head home and make something else for dinner. Well, that dinner plan fell through, too. So on to the next plan. Instead of chicken and roasted veggies, pancakes with fruit and bacon for dinner.

But, as we were preparing and eating our dinner, we had a national TV weather station on. They were talking about the horrific floods in Texas. There were the updates on how many individuals are confirmed deceased and how many missing. One reporter spoke of ones searching for victims following basically the smell of death to find a deer that did not survive. My heart breaks for the people who lost their lives. My heart breaks for the pets, livestock and other animals that also lost their lives during this event. We saw interviews with survivors. Heard their stories of how terrifying the event was and how fast the raging waters rose. Tears filled my eyes as we listen to survivors talk about seeing vehicles and homes float down the river and the sounds of screams for help. I cannot imagine…I saw first responders and others who are out their helping people in their community recover their deceased loved ones. This is their community, too and this has got to be so hard for them as well.

So, yah. My vehicle got a little wet on the inside. My pant leg was wet from the wet car seat. Dinner wasn’t exactly what I had planned. And even now I’m running a little behind and need to scramble to get working on some time sensitive tasks. The Bible says we are to give thanks always and to rejoice always. Am I happy about how my afternoon/early evening went? Not really. But put it in perspective. I’m thankful. Thankful that I had a car to drive. My agenda for the evening does not include walking along a debris-filled path along a river, searching for lost loved ones and pets. My plans got a bit messed up. But at least my plans don’t involve trying to find a new place to live because mine floated down a raging river.

Thank you, Jesus, for what we have. We have much to give thanks for. We lift up those who have been impacted by these horrible floods the past few days. Give strength to the first responders, volunteers and those doing what they can to help, search, rescue, recover. Thank You, Jesus.