I missed my exit this morning. 209A to Broadway. I-65 N meets up with I-40 W and curls around the south of downtown, but I-65 N spits you out in the far left lane and westbound traffic speeds by mercilessly when I slow and turn on my right blinker. I've got a quarter-mile to move over two lanes and most mornings I'm successful. I've had one close call with a truck moving left (without a blinker) but at 6:15 a.m., most drivers are still having good enough days to let me in.
Traffic was unusually heavy this morning, or I hit a pack of vehicles at just the wrong time. I was taking a curve and looking behind and beside myself for a space of grace and finding none. Plan B. The next exit is 209B to Church Street and I sped up toward it, turned right, and coasted over the bridge to be greeted by the sun ascending between two of downtown Nashville's tall office buildings. It was quite beautiful, really.
Life is full of Plan Bs. Most of the time they are birthed at the failure of Plan A. I don't create Plan Bs; I expect Plan A to always work. But when it fails, I get frustrated and find myself in the middle of Plan B. In my pride I think I know best. A slight hiccup in my routine seems to throw the entire day off, if I let it. I am a planner and God humbles me in that things don't always go according to plan. But how beautiful it is when I discover something even better behind door number 2.
When I first moved to Nashville, I thought it was a mistake. My Plan A housing arrangement fell through and I was temporarily homeless. After a couple of days of searching, I moved in with a couple who hosted me for three months and were really great. I was slow at making friends, compelled to get off an airplane, and willing to step outside of my comfort zone. And my change of plans became beautiful. I missed my exit this morning. 209A to Broadway. But Church Street held a treasure of a sunrise. There is beauty in Plan B.
In his heart a man plans his course,but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
I love that verse you added at the end. Story of my life right there. I'm actually telling people now that I "plan" to go on to graduate school to do Library and Information Science, but really who knows? That's my "plan," but that also depends on what God has in mind...which is something my mom sees as an insecurity or instability. She likes the secure and stable, which - she should know - is not always how life works. But I find that it's encouraging to have a plan, a destination to work towards. It at least shows God you're trying, but you also shouldn't whine whenever He alters your course. I've at least learned that much. :)
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