“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV

I admit that I’ve always had a bit of trouble with the last part of this verse. If God has already decided in advance what I will do, where’s the free will, the personal choices, my control? But as I’ve gotten older and look back at my life, I see so many ways that God has “prepared” in advance for me. God has laid out the “road map”. I have only to seek and follow Him. Let me share just one of my stories. Let me know what you think.

My husband and I are from different parts of the country, different upbringings, different personalities, but we were made for each other. My husband was born in South Carolina, and I was a Midwesterner from Indiana. What are the chances we would even meet? He was raised in the church, I was not. He was (and is still) a type A personality, planning everything, and I can be annoyingly laid back and just “go with the flow.”

My dad relocated our family to Erie, Pennsylvania when I was 6 to work in the steel industry. I grew up there, so now a Northerner. My husband’s father, and family, relocated to Erie with his company several years later. We lived on opposite sides of the city and went to different schools. When I was 13 and my sister 14, we decided we wanted to go to church. (I think I’ve told this part of the story before.)

Because our grandparents had taken us to their Baptist church, my sister and I found one that was close to us. And can you see where this is going? Yes, we met at the youth group at the Baptist church in Erie! The only “Southern” Baptist church (it was a “mission” church) in Erie. Fast forward a few years, my sister and I gave our lives to the Lord and were baptized. My husband and I began dating after that and as they say, “the rest is history.” This year we will be married 43 years. And even though we are very different, we have always agreed on this, love God and love each other. One more quirky turn on God’s road map, I was born 9 months, almost to the day, after my husband!

It is totally a “God thing!” This week, think back over your life, can you see where God prepared the way for you? Where did things work out differently than you imagined or worked out so much easier than anticipated? What is your story? When did God prepare in advance the road map for you to follow? I would love to hear your stories. Please share your “it’s a God thing” story in the comments section.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we recognize God’s road map in our own lives.

Blessings and joy seeking God’s path!