“Unplanned” is often used as a scapegoat and reason to justify the unthinkable. This is not what I planned… fill in the blank.

Most of my life was not what I planned.

Yet as I look back there is evidence of God doing something good in all those unplanned moments. I couldn’t see it then; I was too busy focusing on myself and boohooing.

Reflecting on my past short-sighted plans, it is evident that my criteria was not well thought out. How could it be? I can’t remember what I ate yesterday not alone predict the future. The egregious lie perpetuated from the beginning is that we have total control to plan our life.

Why are we so surprised when our plans fail? We cannot possibly believe that we have that kind of control. There are too many unknowns. Why needlessly punish ourselves?

This brings us to the crisis of anxiety so prevalent today. More than any other time in history, when life is better than it has ever been in history, we are anxious and worried?  Why? Because we have bought the lie.

This is the perfect time of year to reflect on the results of the biggest unplanned event in human history, the Incarnation.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (Lk 1:31-34)

Mary is minding her own business. She has a plan for her life. The Angel Gabriel tells her there is a different plan involving an unplanned pregnancy. She rightfully asks the clarifying question, “How can this be?”

Mary realizes that pregnant, unmarried women are in grave danger when the word gets out. Explaining the truth of the situation is likely not going to be believable. Yet, all of heaven awaits her answer to put God’s plan in motion.

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38)

When unplanned events confront our lives, we always have a choice. Our next step will speak volumes about our character and willingness to trust or distrust God.

It isn’t that simple, Barb.

But it is. I know first-hand and so do you if you think about it.

As a little girl, I did not plan on a father who would wake up paralyzed one morning and never walk again. My mom and siblings didn’t plan on that either. Most of all, my dad.

My plan for our marriage was very different from what I imagined. I was stretched, tested, frustrated, and wowed, and I continue to grow in this unplanned and utterly amazing vocation. The love is deeper, experiences extraordinary, and joys unlimited. Our plans were obliterated countless times and still are, thank God for that.

I’ve been crushed by metal, thrown across the pavement, my skull split open, and while not part of my original plan, were the results of my plans.

My plans suck.

I have come to believe with all my heart that God’s plans are the only plans worth considering. Why? Because He loves me beyond comparison and desires to spend eternity with me. Most of the time, because I’m so stubborn, I must learn the hard way.

The humble Virgin, fully confident in God’s love for her and in complete trust and surrender, submitted herself to His plan. She did not waste energy on what-ifs nor demand the playbook.

Was it easy? Did her life unfold seamlessly with no worries or problems? No, because that’s not real life. We are meant for heaven, and that is the only place guaranteed to be hassle-free and eternal ecstasy.

Mary’s yes to an unplanned life produced a Savior. Mary’s yes to God’s plan brought light into the darkness and our salvation. That’s not a bad return for entrusting her life to God’s plan.

In the end, I can look with disdain at all the ways my plans went haywire with no guarantee that they will suddenly work out perfectly in the future. Or, I can eagerly await the adventure that God has in store for me and embrace all the marvelous twists and turns as coming from Him for my good.

Because there are no unplanned events. God is perfectly in control of everything that you will encounter, including what feels like your worst nightmare. Forming us into saints requires our trust. Scripture and the lives of the saints are proof positive that with God anything is possible.

I hope to be Saint Barbara one day, Patron saint of chocolate lovers, exhausted moms and fun grandmothers.

May I recommend a new book, Cloud of Witnesses, as a great place to explore stories of miraculous help from the saints. It contains twenty-five true stories of how saints interceded, and helped in difficult situations. You can order on my home page. I wrote chapter eight on St. Martha. 🙂 Be blessed and Merry Christmas.