Unexpected Paths

I have departed this earthly life for the past several days, and completed the rough draft of Book 3 in my Burton Farm Series. I had very little more than a rough idea of how it would end, but the book knew where it needed to go, and by the end, it arrived. I was just along for the ride.

I spent the rest of the day drawing the picture that I hope will go on the cover of the new book. It has a long way to go before publication. However, having a completed rough draft in record time, and a working cover picture brings me great joy.

I always have a rough idea of a book outline when I start, but it never seems to go where I expect it to go. It develops a mind of its own, and soon, I toss the outline, and follow the muse.

This is not unlike how God leads me. I think I have a general idea of where He wants me to go, and I head off happily in that direction. Invariably, I have not taken more than one or two steps and He veers so sharply that I am thrown completely off track. I scramble to follow Him or give up (to my peril) and go in the direction I thought was best.

In short, I never end up on the path I thought I would end up on. Never. this can be a source of great despair, and anxiety (usually my first response,) or of wide-eyed excitement and wonder (the preferred response.)

Psalm 37:23 reminds me The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.
I admit, I need to delight in His way more, and trust where He leads me. It is not easy to go blindly on a journey where the destination has not been revealed.


But honestly, I really like how book 3 ended, which was a surprise to me, the supposed author.
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Proverbs 16:3-4 

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.