Plans

"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

We had plans. They began with a trip to the airport in which a troop of brave but sad girls were converted instantly into ecstatic "flying" girls as we found our plans to send Pa off on a plane were canceled.

With arms extended, flying in a zig zag pattern behind him back to the parking garage they were amplifying just what I felt. A little more time together before his week long trip was worth having to wake again at 3am.

The Lord had a gift for us in changed plans.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

We ducked out of the rain into a little 50's place for dinner. Gigantic hamburgers and overflowing shakes with Pa were a very big hit. Not according to our plan and yet Sarah seemed dressed for the occasion in her sweater, skirt and folded down socks.




Because Tom's business trip was from Friday to Friday, with an empty weekend between, I planned to drive about seven hours each way to join him for the weekend. But God had better plans.

When my sisters and mom heard my plan to drive they purchased an airline ticket for me, stayed with the girls and bought fantastic crafts. I am still floored. Those were much better plans.






Simi Valley was lovely in itself- sunshine in January? But to be with my husband for the weekend as his date was over the top.

To impress our children, who are huge Reagan fans, we decided to visit the nearby Reagan Memorial Library. I can honestly say that it was well beyond our expectations.

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." ~Genesis 2:24

The library was amazing in itself, but I was especially touched by the Reagan's love story interwoven throughout his history.

As we watched one of the museum's documentaries, the commentator stated simply that while Ronald had many objectives,

Nancy's one and only goal was her husband.

I was moved to tears by the simplicity and unseen power of this life well spent. How beautiful is it to be one with our husband? And what can a man accomplish with a wife like that?

We were reminded as we went through the museum of Reagan's strength of character and acts of courage that impacted the entire world. Would this have been possible if he and his wife were divided?

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." ~Proverbs 31:10-12

Really, it is God's design for a woman to be a help meet and best friend to her husband- a person her husband can safely trust.

Do we take this to heart? Or do we meditate on what our husbands should be doing to help us accomplish our goals? Oh, the water gets muddy at times.

The world teaches women to seek strength in their independence, but I say there is far more strength in a woman who will obediently follow God's plans and do her husband good all the days of her life.

When I shared these thoughts about Nancy Reagan with my daughters they said, "I want to be a wife like that."

Those are good plans.

"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." ~Philippians 2:13

Aren't the plans that come from God always the best? Seeking His plans.



Blessings,


________________________________
Photo of Reagan at his CA Governor Inauguration. His quote: "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation."