Father
Knows Best
By Karen D’Amore
“In his heart a man
plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
Proverbs
16:9
(ESV)
Eight years ago, my husband and I raced
through the Las Vegas airport with two dogs,
numerous pieces of luggage and one way tickets to Wisconsin! The vivid memory feels like
yesterday. The “one-way-ticket” element - - a first for me - - was challenging
to embrace. Our Midwest travels would no
longer be as visitors, but rather as residents. Originally born and reared in Southern California, this relocation was not something I
would’ve ever envisioned for my life. But the clear, God-orchestrated plan was
necessary.
Exchanging beach flip flops for snow boots, my
new journey began as winter fell. Polar-opposite-living drew me to walk with
wide-eyed baby steps. Everything was new: weather, wardrobes, terms, traditions
and styles of worship. Knowing four people (all in-laws), God became the director
of my social life. My first “friend,” a neighboring horse adopted me as if I
were his own. In the beginning, the loneliness was daunting but God became my
nearest, dearest and closest friend.
As I reflect on this eight-year journey, it
symbolically mirrors the long and winding road on which I reside. This road has
bends, curves, blind spots and potholes. In this relatively short journey,
there have been multiple new beginnings and several ends. Life here has not
been void of challenges, obstacles, frustrations and adversities; all of which
served as fertilizer necessary to grow my faith. But there’s also been the most
awestruck God-moments imaginable. In a kaleidoscope of the foreign and
unfamiliar - - in a place that I wouldn’t have chosen to call home - - I’ve
never felt more at home!
My
most valuable lesson in this relocation journey has been that our Heavenly
Father truly knows best! Just as God led the Israelites through the wilderness
versus the most direct route (Exodus
13: 17-18), He will lead us down the best path…but we need to
follow Him. God’s best path doesn’t always guarantee the smoothest,
least-resistant road but rather, the route which will strengthen our faith and
draw us closer to Him.
My
life plan and journey never included relocation to the Midwest.
When I sensed God’s leading in this move, I responded with reluctant faith. I
love how God used this journey to draw me into a deeper relationship with Him.
And it’s with unwavering faith that I can now
confidently proclaim that wherever
God leads I will follow because this God-directed
faith-journey has taught me that my Heavenly Father truly knows best!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Whose best are you trusting in?
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
