Daily Devotional for May 24, 2021

Yesterday, I had planned the perfect children’s sermon.  It was so good, I knew I was going to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, be invited to the White House, and have a mountain named in my honor.  I was so proud.

Because it was Pentecost, my brilliant plan was to pass out party horns to celebrate the birthday of the church.  On cue, all the children would yell happy birthday to the church and blow their party horns.  That was the image I had in my head.  It didn’t work exactly the way I planned.

As I passed out horns to all the children, Stevie decided she only wanted a purple horn and Robert exchanged his horn four times.  Even though my instructions were very clear about blowing the horns after saying happy birthday to the church, all the children continually blew their horns. 

At that moment, I realized passing out party horns to children and expecting them to calmly sit there and not blow until instructed was a pipe dream.  Reality was very different.

My dreams of a Nobel Peace Prize, a visit to the White House, and a mountain named in my honor evaporated before my eyes.  In the end, I was just trying to survive.

Sometimes life is like that.  Our perfect plans aren’t perfect.  The unexpected happens.   That’s just life.

You may have your day planned out but don’t be surprised if the unexpected happens.  Rarely, does life work out the way we planned.

That’s okay because God has a plan.  It’s to bring you home.  All God asks is that you believe in Jesus as your savior and trust him with all your might.  God will do all the heavy lifting.  In fact, God did the heavy lifting 2,000 years ago.  Our part is easy.  All we do is trust and believe.

If you plans don’t work out, know God’s will.  That’s the plan that truly matters.

The wisest of all people said, “Many plans are in a person’s mind, but the Lord’s purpose will succeed.”  (Proverbs 19:21)

Just for the record, after the worship service ended, Mike questioned my wisdom by reminding me that last week, I had talked to the children about noise canceling headphones right before the sermon and this week, I had given them horns.  He may be on to something.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in a world filled with the unpredictable and uncertain, help me always trust in you.  Guide my steps, thoughts, and actions.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Word to the wise.  If you plan out the perfect children’s sermon, know it won’t be perfect.  Just have fun.  That’s what matters.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins