While running through a torrential downpour in an effort to keep the thousands of dollars worth of camera gear strapped to my shoulders from getting soaked, tornado sirens began blaring in the background. Fifteen minutes later, after obtaining an umbrella, I was heading up a muddy hill to a bridal suit. The ceremony that was originally planned as an outdoor wedding (that was supposed to be held in a setting that was pulled straight out of a Twilight movie) was moved indoors into a dreamy wedding venue.
The day before, the first wedding of my weekend was pushed back and moved indoors due to rain as well. And yes, two minutes after the couple said “I do,” the rain ceased, the sun came out, and we got to soak in some beautiful outdoor photos.
But it doesn’t end there. On day three of my photography busy-ness that week, I drove an hour and showed up to a location I’ve been to 20-plus times, only to find that starting in November the park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It was November 4th and Monday. Hurriedly, I called my husband, who once lived in this area, and asked for directions to the prettiest place in a 5 mile radius before calling the bride and groom-to-be to redirect them.
My initial response was, a hint of “oh shoot,” but let’s just say the night ended with a Beyonce-level type of wind, a lighthouse, and a sunset that had beckoned at least 12 people with iPhone cameras to the water’s edge. They all stood there appreciating it while I ruined their shots by standing right smack dab in front of the lighthouse taking photos of a gorgeous couple and squealing, “Oh my gosh! This is so perfect!! Ahh!! I love this! I’m so glad the park was closed!”
All weekend, plans were made and then plans were changed.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “ The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
God often reminds me that His plans are better than mine, but it never seems to fail that when I see life straying away from my original plan, I start asking questions. Doors have been shut in my face; doors have been flung open with even a tiny glance in their direction; sometimes multiple doors have been opened at the same moment, and I’m left feeling directionless and wondering if those are the moments when God is telling me to choose. Those are the most challenging to me.
Children are constantly receiving instructions; from parents, teachers, coaches, older siblings, etc., and rarely do they want to hear it; yet, as a woman in my mid-thirties sometimes all I want is to let others make decisions for me. Job? You make the call. Where to live? You make the call. Insurance policies? Does anyone actually understand this? How ‘bout you still make the call.
On a daily basis I am inundated with questions. Where are my shoes? Pants or shorts? Do I need a hoodie? What’s for supper? Where’s my toothbrush? When can we go to the park? Can my best friend come play? Can I stay the night at Aunt Bailey’s?
Once while editing some photos, I started smelling an awful electrical smell. After investigating I found a miniscule sized Doritos bag that was as hard as a rock. The nutrition facts label was still readable and laid out exactly as it had been before entering the microwave, but significantly smaller. Apparently, if you microwave an empty Doritos bag, it shrinks to a “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” type of size.
Apparently in the inundation of questions, a child asked if they could microwave the chip bag and me paying only half attention granted them permission.
Who put me in charge of these people? Where’s the grown up that goes with them?
Who would like to sign up to be the question answerer of my life? I’m so quick to want to hand over these big and tiny decisions to someone else, but then one of those things pops up that I’ve planned out and pursued and invested so much time into and the second a piece of it sways from my original plans I’m over here shouting Time out God! Time out!
It’s so easy for us to cling to our plans with tight fists, but I’m continually learning to loosen my death grip and hold them with open hands. His plans are so much greater. His ways, so much higher. His vision, so much better. I see what’s in front of me, He sees beyond my understanding. AND I’m sure he knew the sunset on November 4th in this exact location was going to be incredible!