Monday is drawing to a close and I’m still catching my breath from the weekend. I was already resisting anxiety about the longer hours my husband would be working in the following days and then our 18-month old took a nasty tumble resulting in a fractured ankle. One member’s challenge quickly changes the dynamics of the entire household as all focus shifts to that person’s needs – but that isn’t easy to do when the majority of the family is under the age of 4. They haven’t quite grasped the fact that their needs might not be met as quickly as they usually are since Mama has to carry Little Sister a little more, and Little Sister is not appreciating her limited mobility.

Today the kids and I took our Little Bit to get her cast. I was nervous about how it would all go: me with all the kids, in a part of town that is unfamiliar to us, to a doctor we have never seen, for a procedure that we have never experienced. I packed food and activities and prayed. After Friday’s chaos, I prepared for impact and prayed some more. And you know what? The excursion unfolded beautifully. We didn’t get lost. We found parking. We arrived on time. The kids were cheerful. Our patient laid still and even held up her leg for the cast to be put on. The medical technicians praised her to the moon and back. We got home all in one piece. (Bedtime was another story, but for now the house is quiet and I have time to reflect.)

Sunday’s sermon was on the beginning portion of chapter 3 in the book of John. The pastor drew our attention to verse 8 where Jesus explains that the Holy Spirit moves at will just as the wind blows where it wishes. Jesus was using the wind to illustrate the sovereignty of God. We cannot know the mind of God unless He chooses to reveal it to us. If you’re like me, I plan out the hours in my day with the expectation that they will flow exactly as I want them to because certainly that is best, right? But in life the unexpected and the inexplicable happens, and we are left hurt, puzzled, frustrated, angry, bitter, or in despair. If we can’t understand something, we wonder why it occurred. And that’s exactly why it happened.

When control of our lives is wrested from our grip, we are forced to recognize that God reigns. He determines what is best for us and gives Him glory. When life trots placidly along, it takes more effort for me to give all glory to God; when it twists and turns, the only one I can hold on to is the Almighty Savior. My peace cannot lie in circumstances; it must rest in God’s goodness. In the tumult of the past couple of days, I did have peace knowing that all of this was going to work out for our good; if God is glorified then it is good for me. And when I let go I enjoy the ride so much more! I am thankful that the Master of the wind is my Master too.