Sometimes being alone is a good thing. As I attended a writers conference last week, I wondered what would shape the next season of my writing journey. But since life has been busy (and stressful) I also wanted some solitude. I typically attend these events with wide-eyed anticipation, ready to jump into every social opportunity. But not this time.

Go to the workshops. Network a little. Retreat a lot.

This was my formula for the week. Until God intervened.

I arrived at my hotel three hours before check-in and a day before the conference. It was no surprise my room wasn’t ready. I was fine with the delay. The lobby gave me the perfect opportunity to alternate between people watching and day dreaming.

Things were going according to plan.

But then I met Jackie. Actually, I heard her first. She sat on the sofa behind me and it was hard to miss her fast-paced, detail-driven phone conversation. It reminded me of my rhythm when I talk. I decided to move across the room to create an anti-eavesdropping zone.

Just as I arrived out of earshot, the hotel clerk called my name. It was good news. She said, “Your room is ready ahead of schedule.”

Now my plan was in full throttle. The clerk’s announcement took me from my perch in the lobby to the promise of complete seclusion.

But as I finished checking in, I heard Jackie again. This time she was talking to me. “Are you here for the Publishing in Color Conference?” As I said yes, we introduced ourselves and my alone plan begin to fade.

A few conversations and several shuttle rides later, it was clear I had a conference buddy. It was a good thing.

I love when God surprises me. I may not appreciate it at first. An unexpected event has to bring me delight to make it into the “surprise” category. Otherwise, sudden developments go into the category of catastrophe or challenge.

What will you do with God’s next surprise? His next “good thing” may not feel good at first.

However, when I’m willing to see things differently and trust Him completely, good is always within reach.

May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech. – 2 Thessalonians 4:16-17 MSG

I’m glad I didn’t err on the side of stubborn. Staying by myself would have afforded me more flexibility, but I would’ve missed out on a possible friendship. Fellowship with Jackie and other writers was a fun and an enriching experience. As a result, it was one of the best conferences I’ve attended.

Thankfully, God’s “gifts of unending help and confidence” bent my heart towards His plan.

If you have a plan, be on the look out for His surprise. Like me, you may not appreciate it at first. However, at the conference, His gifts gave me a fresh heart, invigorated my work and enlivened my speech. But most of all, I received hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. – Proverbs 16:9 MSG