I knew I was going to get married after high school

So, growing-up I knew that when I graduated from high school I was going to meet Prince charming, fall in-love, get married, have children and live happily ever after. Well… that didn’t happen. That “What if?” never crossed my mind. Deb, welcome to the real world!

In my mid-20s and still not married… really!

Now I’m in my mid-20s, dating, and nothing is happening and my friends are either married or getting married. Who I wanted to marry didn’t want to marry me and who I didn’t want to marry wanted to marry me. Really! This is not the way it was supposed to be. I was very frustrated! So, one day I’m talking with Ma about my frustration and she says to me, “You know Debbie, not everybody is meant to marry early and not everybody is meant to marry.” Say what!!!

This was the turning point in my life

“Not everybody was meant to marry” hit me like a ton of bricks. I started thinking, “What if I’m not meant to marry?” That thought never crossed my mind. Because my three older sisters were married so duh, of course I’d marry too. But what if… This threw a monkey wrench into my dreams. Boy oh boy, let me tell you, this was the turning point in my life. It sure was!

Planning my Single Life

I had dropped out of college and this is when I decided to go back and finish my bachelor’s degree and then go right into the master’s program. At this point, I had to take control over my life (my future), take control over the things I could control. Therefore, I shifted my thinking and plans. Now it was all about living a happy, fulfilling and financially secure single life. I was like, if I marry fine, if I don’t, I’m going to make sure I’m good… okay. So now I’m career driven and strategically planning my career path. I sure was!

God’s plan will override your plan

I don’t know if you noticed that I have not mentioned God in any of the above. That’s because in those years I knew of God but didn’t know God. I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. I was self-sufficient and was going to take matters into my own hands instead of putting them in God’s hands. But God loved me and took care of me anyway and patiently waited because He knew my heart. He knew that one day I’d be all His. Alleluia!

I had my life all planned (again) not even thinking that God had a plan for my life. Over the years I learned that God’s plan will override your plan. God’s plan is always the best plan for our lives and things will happen (if they’re to happen) in God’s timing, not ours.

Just like you, I’ve had my share of “What ifs.” But you know what, I’ve learned to turn them over to God and trust Him. It’s scary, stressful, depressing, and painful at times. That’s why we have to trust God to get us through every “What if?”

Let’s talk for a minute…

“What if” things don’t turn out the way you expect, planned or dreamed? We think we know what the future holds but we really don’t. Only God knows! Life throws many curve balls when we least expect. That’s why we have to put our future in God’s hands and trust Him.

“What if” are you facing today?

What if..? I never get married. My diagnosis is cancer or parkinson’s or alzheimer’s. I can’t have children. I fail. My car breaks down and I can’t pay to get it fixed or can’t afford to buy another one. I don’t get the promotion. I lose my job. My son or daughter goes to jail. I don’t finish college. My child decides not to go to college after all I’ve done. I don’t get a basketball or football scholarship. My loan is not approved. Many what ifs.

Turn your “What if” over to God

You should consider “What Ifs” and make provisions just in case they become your reality. As Ma use to say, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” What ifs will make you shift gears, change and make adjustments.

How we respond to “What ifs” makes the difference. First, turn your “What if?” over to God and trust Him. He will guide you and get you through it. Second, stay positive, keep hope alive and don’t give-up. Third, be flexible and open minded to change and be willing to adjust. Fourth, remember that when one door closes, God can and will open other doors. Fifth, no matter how it looks or feels or what people say, God can and will make a way out of no way. How do I know all this? I’ve been there! I know this first hand. I sure do!

“Expect the best, plan for the worst and prepare to be surprised.” Quote by Dennis Waitley

Would you like God to handle your “What if?”

Then the first order of business is accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Now is the time!

Say this prayer…

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I am calling on You according to Acts 2:21 (NIV): “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10 (NLT): “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Amen

 Bible Reflection

“When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” Psalm 91:15 NLT

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV

“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 NLT

“For I know the plans I have for you.” Says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19-26 NIV

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:29 KJV

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

From Deb’s  to yours…

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