Dirt Road Lesson: Learning To "Let Go And Let God"

Most days happen just like I plan them. I wake up, watch my favorite TV show (Golden Girls, anyone?) and go about my planned activities for the day. If that same routine happens enough days in a row it can start to feel as though I control my destiny and I plan how my days go.

And then days like Monday and Tuesday happen to show me that I am far from the title of Master of Destiny.

Monday started out just like I planned, with no surprises to speak of. I had a doctor’s appointment and things were on time and going as scheduled. I left the doctor’s office and headed to school to sign some paperwork in the Financial Aid office to make sure I could get aid for this semester. There’s no way I could afford tuition on my own, right?

Wrong.

Turns out, my financial aid would not be processed in time and I had to make financial agreements with the Bursar to ensure my schedule wouldn’t be dropped. Ok, no big deal. I head over to the Bursar’s office only to be told that the only way to ensure I could stay in school this semester was to make a payment plan and write a check for 1/3 of the amount of my tuition that day.

For those of you who don’t know, CajunGuy and I are trying to pay for a wedding that is set to happen October 1 – of this year! He was at work and couldn’t answer his phone when I called to discuss what was going on (aka The Wedding vs. School Debate that raged in my head). I had a decision to make: turn my back on school this semester and add at least a year to my projected Graduation date or write the check in faith and stand on God’s promise that He takes care of His children.

One expensive check later and I realized just how little control I have over anything. I went home feeling defeated and thanked God that the day was going to end in just a few hours.

And then Tuesday happened.

CajunGuy was working in Texas on an oil rig just outside of Houston when the thing I dread most happened: he got hurt on the job. I was more than 500 miles away and could do nothing to help him. All I could do was listen to him tell me that his hand had been crushed and he was on the way to the hospital.

…Seriously?!?

When CajunGuy finally got X-rays done he was left with an appointment for surgery on this coming Tuesday morning and the possibility of a limited work schedule during the time he recovers from everything.

His regular income would be really reduced and my mind started wondering how all the bills would get paid.

I was at the end of my rope…but I was strangely calm about it.

God was in control and I knew it.

I don’t (and I may never) know His reasons for any of this, but CajunGuy and I stand on the assurance of God's promise in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Amen.