The Certainty of Uncertainty...

It's funny how much joy can come from something small.   Yesterday, I was lucky enough to get to have lunch with my cousin at a local Mexican restaurant.  As we were dishing out the cash for our Mexican feast, we noticed an unusual old-school vending machine.  You know- 25 cents and a quarter turn to the right......and voila!  A prize so great it will warm even the coldest of hearts. The peculiarity of this particular machine rested in it's contents.  No, there were no gumballs to be found.  No plastic rings in sight.  This machine was boasting something greater.  I searched frantically through my wallet for the necessary monetary means, and as I pulled a quarter from my purse, my face crinkled until I couldn't help but smile.  Money in.....a quarter turn to the right....and.........

I was amazed.  Dumbfounded.  Overwhelmed by the ingeniousness of the idea. Who knew that you could change your entire look with just 50 cents?  Nea was next...

Incredible.  These little mustaches have brought joy to my heart and let me drop my guard a little after a few crazy weeks.  I will cherish them always.  :)

The past few weeks have been a little crazy indeed.   A blur.  Yet there are immeasurable amounts of details from recent events that I can not remove from my mind.  Words....faces.....voices.....surroundings.  Ah, life sure is a conundrummy conundrum, isn't it? 

The truth is, life is rarely what we think it is.  I've learned to laugh at myself- to laugh at the thought that I have ever felt in control.  That I have thought it is all about me.  Because the reality is- I am no more in control of my life than the Royals are going to win the world series.  Right?  And you know what?  I am ok with that.  Truly, honestly, 110%, lickety-split, finger-lickin good to the last drop ok with that.  Have I always been ok with that?  Definitely not.  Will I be ok with that tomorrow?  I pray to the Lord for strength enough to lay my life at His feet.  

Because you see, the buck doesn't stop with me.  There is more.  There is so much more.   And fortunately, the One who is in control has a panoramic view.  And knowing that He has a panoramic view- knowing that He sees my heart and knows exactly what I need...knowing that His purpose, His plans, and His story are greater than anything I could ever fathom- makes it ok.  

If there is one thing in life we can be certain of, it is uncertainty. What's incredible is that even in the midst of our uncertainty, we can be Certain that there is One who is certain about all.....and that He is the One who holds our lives in His hands.  

A friend reminded me of this verse in an email this week.  It could not be more true:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines His steps."  Proverbs 16:9

And what I've realized lately is that I am so beyond grateful that it is the Lord who determines my steps.  That it is He who charts the course.  Because even if I don't have a panoramic lens,  I am constantly amazed at His ability to outplan me.  To provide.  And to create a story greater than any I could create on my own.   So go ahead.  Embrace the uncertainty with a smile on your face and with open arms......and cling to the truth that you, my friend, are being held by the One who will never let go.