I always find it fascinating when I ask my boys what they want to be when they grow up.

“I want to be Flash when I get bigger,” my youngest says confidently.

“An engineer,” my oldest says. He’s been holding tight to this dream for two years already.

Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

I think of desires, dreams and goals. It could be as big as dreams or maybe it’s smaller in scale. Man plans his actions and choices. Every second of every day man is given choices and opportunities. He is faced with an open road so to speak. He can choose to hit the snooze or not. To eat breakfast or not. To have a donut or eggs. To open God’s Word or not. But God sovereignly directs his feet so that everything works together for good according to His purpose and for His glory.

A toddler sees a cookie crumb under the table. His goal is to get that tasty, day-old, melt-in-your-mouth, cookie crumb and shove it in his mouth. What could be wrong with this plan? The cookie will taste delicious. At least it did yesterday. He has made his choice. He expects no interruption or delay. He’s going for it. He begins walking toward his goal. About halfway there his mom intercepts his action, picks him up and positions his body facing right. “Go get your coat. We’re going bye-byes.” This was not his plan. He didn’t get what he wanted. In resistance, he turns back toward the cookie crumb and takes a step. Again, he’s intercepted by his mom as she turns his body to the right. Pointing to his coat, she says, “Child, go get your coat.” The child falls to the floor whining in defeat and disappointment. This was not what he wanted. This was not his plan.

Sounds familiar, right? We have a goal or expectation in mind. Your car breaks down along the road. They’re eliminating your position at work. You have a progressive illness. Your loved one just died. Your spouse walked out on you. You lost the baby. You can’t pay the bills. You burnt dinner. Your child defies you. You’re continually hurt by someone. Your child is struggling in school. Immediately we want to collapse in defeat and despair and maybe even shake our fist at God. “But I didn’t ask for this!” we demand.

Whatever the situation, whatever the hardship, sometimes God will bring the coat to us as we lay in a wallowing heap on the floor because His purpose for us will be fulfilled, whether we’re submissive or defiant. Other times God will wait patiently for us to get over our selfish tantrum and yield our heart to His will.

And maybe later, after we’ve come home from going bye-byes, we’ll still get to eat that cookie crumb. Or maybe if we only yield to His plan there will be a bigger blessing in our obedience. Perhaps waiting for us at the Bye-bye House is a mouthwatering chocolate ganache cake—so much better than an old cookie crumb.

No one’s situation looks the same and they all happen for different reasons, but I would hope that we are the one who yields immediately to God’s sovereign hand no matter what the turn may look like. Even if it’s not what we planned, expected or desired. Even if it’s painful and lifelong. I pray that we would allow Him to open our eyes to see His goodness and faithfulness through it.

Some turns are filled with grief and hardship yet bring us closer to our Father as we are stripped down to pure dependency on Him. And perhaps the turn is God’s rescue mission to a years’ long desperate prayer. It offers grace, relief and help in time of need.

If you’re obedient in life’s turns the blessings are abounding. Maybe there is peace like you’ve never experienced. Joy and fullness in your soul. Grace that carries you in every moment and hope that fills your heart. You feel renewed. You feel loved. And those blessings wouldn’t be there if you had kept walking your own way.

No matter what’s in the turn it gives opportunity to bring glory and honor to Him.

Proverbs 28:26
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.