“Don’t Keep a Carbon Copy of God’s Past Plan”–Warren Wiersbe

Thank you so very much for your tremendous outpouring of love, concern and prayer support. It has meant so much to me and Larry and wrapped us in a mantle of love.

Although there’s no specific update, (my surgeon appointment is still January 5th), I wanted to share with you on the topic of waiting on the Lord. I’ve been thinking about how God is consistent but surprising as He leads and moves in our lives–especially in His timing.

You may know I’m the kind of person who doesn’t want to be a bother. If I’ve bothered you, then I apologize! I also say I’m sorry a lot. It’s a part of my people pleasing tendencies that God has been working on quite awhile.

I suspicioned this journey would be one way God would teach me to be obedient in following His directions even if I feared “bothering” someone.

After the diagnostic mammogram and ultra sound indicated I needed a needle biopsy, my appointment was scheduled for Jan. 11th, 2022, the soonest an opening was available. Of course, that seemed like a long way away but if that’s the best, then okay (I also can be passive).

But a good friend, (yes, Gail, that’s you!) reminded me I could call and ask if there was an opening sooner. Such a suggestion put fear in my heart. Remember? I don’t want to be a bother! 

But the next morning, a Thursday, I knew God wanted me to take ahold of His courage and make the dreaded call. With trepidation I did. Julia, the woman who answered was so sweet and said, “Well, as a matter of fact, I just had someone cancel for Dec. 14th. Would you like that opening?

You betcha! Thank you, Lord.

All that day I wondered if God wanted me to call the next morning again! to inquire. That seemed like just too much. Shouldn’t I just be content with the blessing God had given me? I felt guilty and greedy. And what if I’m bothering Julia? Maybe someone else needs an opening more than me?

By the time I went to bed that night, I knew God was calling me to again take hold of His courage and call again. Regardless of Julia’s response, I wanted to obey God.

The next morning, Friday, I called and Julia was again very kind. She paused to look on her computer and said, “Now, is it true you only want to go to the Boise office?”

I replied, “Well, no. I am willing to go anywhere.”

“Okay, then. I have an opening this coming Monday at 7:30am in Nampa.”

“I’ll take it!” Thank you, Lord! 

I couldn’t believe that my procedure started out being January 11th, then moved to December 14th, and finally to Dec. 6th.

I was so grateful for the Lord’s prompting, courage, and timing.

Now, here’s the contrast. You’ve been joining me in prayer asking the Lord to move my Jan. 5th appointment with the surgeon to be sooner. And even though I’m on the waiting list, I haven’t received a call.

This is where God is consistent but surprising. We never know what He intends to do.

At the beginning of this year, I heard someone quote Warren Wiersbe who wrote, “Don’t keep a carbon copy of God’s past plan.”

Can you tell he wrote books a long time ago? It’s been a while since any of us used carbon paper. But the truth of it is still powerful. God is always doing a new thing and doesn’t usually work in the same way over and over again.

In Isaiah 43:19, God says, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

I don’t know why it’s not God’s will for my surgeon appointment to be sooner. But I trust Him. If He moved my biopsy from January 11th to December 14th and then to December 6th, He can do anything He wants. And I can trust Him.

Thank you for being on this journey with me. May we all have courage to obey God who knows what is best!