“I USED TO HAVE A PLAN…but life had other ideas.” It’s the title of a book that grabbed my attention in the bookstore this past weekend. Alessandra Olanow is the illustrator and author. The pages contain her drawings of weary souls or insightful sojourners, with captions of encouragement mixed with wit.

The front cover displays one of Olanow’s drawings. A woman is face down. Her posture is left to the reader’s interpretation. But one thing is clear, her plan didn’t work.

I know the feeling. Face plant and all.

But planning isn’t a bad thing. According to the old adage, “if we fail to plan, we plan to fail.”

Yet when my plans become rigid, the slightest adjustment confines me. It leaves no room for surprises. I hesitate to grow in the midst of disappointment. But most of all, I leave no room for God. He has a lot to say about our plans.

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)

He is always directing us to draw closer to Him. He doesn’t skip steps. Each one is intentional.

But I thought making a plan meant I had determined my steps. After all, isn’t it reasonable to anticipate an outcome if we make certain decisions and complete certain actions? But in Hebrew the phrase “determines our steps” means God “directs our step, steps or course of life.”

And He does all things well.

He knows we’re a work in progress and not robots. And yet, in His love, He calls us to walk in Christ’s redemption. (2 Timothy 1:9)

Of course, our making a plan has its place. It’s the intentional way to steward my responsibilities. Hence, my calendar is an invaluable tool. It contains my commitments, goals and special events to celebrate or observe.

Without it, it’s likely I’d forget where I need to be and why.

But my calendar is just a calendar. It’s not meant to be my God. My life and times are in His hands. (James 4:14 and 15)

And since He is All-knowing and All-wise, His Sovereignty should be my security.

However, His next steps for our lives may be tough. If a dream is deferred or a loss seems unbearable finding strength feels like a struggle. But it takes time to heal. It takes a willingness to embrace God’s way to “grow through what you go through.”

It’s a quote from Olanow’s book.

From the past year, many of us are still trying to regroup from the people and places that are no longer here or the plans that were canceled. We may wonder when new plans can begin. But there is a promise from God — when life is at its fullest or we’re in a face plant. His plans never change or fail.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11NLT)

As I look to the future, I’m glad there is a Plan. But it doesn’t come from me. It keeps my face before God. I need His direction whether I’m considering a “step, steps or course of life.”

I ask for His leading and His blessings. Because the best part of my plan is when I plan to trust God.