But I Can’t See It Yet

Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow. For you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

Two weeks ago I wrote a devotional Blog to be posted this week entitled “But I Can’t See It Yet.” I had no idea God had a separate lesson in store for me with this title, but a different verse and message than I originally had written was appropriately right before my eyes – literally.

Last week I noticed the whites of my eyes were going from blood red to deep pink. I felt extraordinarily fatigued but kept on pursuing needed tasks with my job that were necessary and important to get done.

My plans for last Saturday started out with a once a year women’s ministry training at 8:00 AM at church. Then there was needing to be available for helping out with our son’s and daughter-in-law’s infant twins and our daughter had a special birthday on Sunday. However, all of these had to be pushed aside due to pain increasing within my eyes and vision was deteriorating drastically. I could barely see and that ended with me having to go to the ER at our hospital. My physical condition was diagnosed as a particular infection in both eyes that can cause blindness and prescription eye drops were prescribed. I kept thinking of all the work appointments I had to cancel and reschedule that were already on my work calendar for the upcoming week. As I waited in the hospital bed in ER, I realized my health and my plans are not in my control. God was choosing for me to rest (Ps. 23) as I couldn’t do anything else. After being released from the hospital my day all I could do was put in the prescription eye drops every two hours and sleep – nothing else.

As I was texting my daughter about God seemingly had other plans for me during this particular Saturday, she put it so correctly in her text back to me: “Well-apparently this IS how your day was supposed to go. ”

I have criticized my husband in the past (he has had two strokes) for not stopping his CAD work on his laptop during his first stroke (had no idea it was that at the time) in meeting a deadline for a client, despite incredible severe pain in his head and eyes, and I did the very same thing I criticized him for doing. I kept working despite the pain in my eyes and lack of vision on that particular Friday. We both said “Deja Vu.” Step one of being humbled.

Now every morning I write out a list of “my plans” on a sheet of paper. I share them with God. I ask for His input and does He agree? I also now have a better appreciation of Proverbs 27:1 and applying it to my life. This is what I would like to share:

• Ask God about your plans for the day. Write them out and then ask “God, what are Your plans for me today? Ask Him to give you direction in your projects for the day you think you must accomplish.
• Jesus is saying “Focus on me rather than your pressures or deficiencies. Wait in my presence.” Ps. 131:2 and Ps. 23:6.
• Rest in your Christian community praying for you during any time of need. Prayers of family and friends are vital.
• Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”
• “Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser.” Oz Hillman.

The Message version of 1 Corinthians 12:1 is very apropos: “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it as clearly as God sees us. Knowing him directly, just as he knows us!”

Listen to Casting Crowns w/lyrics song “Just Be Held.”

Favim.com-1597133 image.