And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.   

Romans 8:28

As a young wife and mother, I thought I had the perfect blueprint for our family.  My intention was to have two children. No more. Within a few years we had two wonderful little boys. When I learned that I was expecting baby number three, I was extremely upset.

For days I wrestled with disappointment and tried to make sense of the change in my plans. My life verse and the essence of my philosophy as a believer was Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Now I had to ask myself if I truly believed those words. Did I really trust the sovereignty of God? In short, was this pregnancy an accident or part of His design for my life?

Peace finally came when I chose to accept as true that God was in control and that baby number three was a manifestation of His Romans 8:28 “good.” From my perspective now these many years later, the good is all too obvious. 

Baby three was a girl. If I’d had my way, our family would have lost the blessing of her sweet, funny personality, and my husband and I would have never known the joy of having a daughter. I personally would have missed out on ruffles, bows, and French braids, on cheerleading, shopping, and being mother-of-the-bride.

Whenever the phone rings, and I hear my daughter’s voice asking for a recipe or telling me about her baby’s newest trick, I thank God that He replaced my blueprint with His own.

Through this experience He has taught me many things, but one of the most important is to seek God’s will for my life instead of creating a future based on my own wisdom. For me, the perfect blueprint has His fingerprints all over it.

Father, may Your will be done in our lives.   

Carol