Christ Statue in Rio

My husband was supposed to fly out this week to Brazil to be with a musician who is doing a concert, and the plan was they were going to spend some time with Compassion kids.   However, for some reason the Brazilian consulate had a mix up with my husband’s travel visa so my husband did not receive his visa and passport on time. Was it his suspicious character?

This was really disappointing for him, and for us too.  We were all excited for him to have this time overseas (he was also going to be delivering shoes for Isabel too).

He had been looking forward to this trip for a long time, and honestly, I felt like he needed a break from his everyday routine.  My husband is not one to get too emotional over things, but when he found out the visa was not processed, I saw the wind get knocked out of his sails… and it made me sad.

It’s always hard when something doesn’t work out the way you had planned.  It’s hard to get your hopes up only to be let down later.  You pray for something, you pray for a certain outcomes, and for some reason, God does not answer the prayer in the way you had hoped.

This morning he received this note from a friend.

“I am sure there is a good reason you are not going to BR this week.  It may be obvious or it may be something you may not know until you get to heaven, but rest assured you weren’t overlooked by the most important 🙂 “

How many times in life has your plans changed because of something out of your own control?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD

What happens when you pray for something only to have the outcome different than what you had hoped for?

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

But what a good reminder from a friend….”.rest assured you weren’t overlooked by the most important”.

My husband took most of the day off, is reading a book now, and I told him I would make him an airplane meal if he wanted.  I was truly sorry he couldn’t go to an amazing place, and sad for the disappointment.    Understanding God’s sovereignty and plan is complicated…….and that is ok.   I think it’s normal and ok to feel disappointed…..but it is humbling  to recognize that our God may have another plan, bigger than the finite plan we can see.  The fact that he loves us so much brings comfort in the dissapointment.