Hey, Wait a Minute…I Liked My “Plan A”!

Written by Tammy Walls

A few weeks ago, we began a staff Bible study based on Pete Wilson’s book, Plan B; What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Show up the Way You Thought He Would? Several of us have commented on what a hard study it’s been. We’ve been forced to stand face-to-face with situations in our lives that have yanked the rug out from under our feet. Rather than having the option of distracting ourselves or becoming too busy to think about it, we’re now examining the painful aspects under a microscope. And, what we’re discovering is that God’s glory shines brightly through the tough “Plan B” areas of our lives.

Ironically, (or maybe not…) the chapter I read yesterday, while with my dad at the VA Hospital, was entitled “Waiting on God”…which seems to be my theme song lately. What I wanted was solid, definitive answers yesterday. Instead, the hematology oncologist will call later today with results of the CT scan. And, in a broader scope, what I wanted was for my parents to be fit and healthy for about 100 years, at which time a chariot of fire would come down and they would be whisked off to Heaven in a whirlwind. Sitting side-by-side, smiling and waving goodbye to their kids, grands, and great-grands, after a life of no physical suffering. THAT was my Plan A, in regards to my parents.

Instead, we’re waiting. Waiting on answers as to why my Daddy’s platelets are so depleted. Waiting on labs that explain his enlarged spleen. Waiting to see if a painful bone marrow test is necessary. Waiting to see why, exactly, we were referred to an oncologist? Scary words being tossed around… All the while, we’re waiting on God…He’s right there with us, of course, but we’re waiting for Him to show up and bring healing, in much the same fashion as Mary and Martha waited, when Lazarus was in a very bad place.

I was an adult before my dad began his walk with Christ, but once he began that journey, he was sold out. Hours upon countless hours of digging into God’s Word. For the past 30 years, Bibles, study guides, and commentaries have taken up permanent residence on my parents’ dining room table. His faith is steadfast, and he loves Jesus with all his heart, yet I see flickers of fear. And, my heart breaks in two. We’re in the thick of a Plan B, hoping like crazy that Jesus doesn’t decide to hang out across the Jordan River for a couple of days, before coming on over to Bethany for a little miracle-working….

One passage from the book basically says that we don’t really like God’s glory plan if it involves our suffering, disrupting our own plans and dreams. That, if it involves a Plan B, we’re not so crazy about it. Ouch. Yeah, that one stomped all over my toes. Being placed smack-dab in the middle of Sandwich Generation isn’t really what I hoped for. But it is what it is and God’s going to be glorified. After all, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)