How often do you make lists and plans?  I know with the current circumstances we maybe aren’t making as many plans as we normally would, but I know with university I have been making endless to-do lists to keep myself organised.  Sarah always had a plan, although the way it happened wasn’t exactly what Sarah was expecting.
 
When I was at school and it came to applying for university, I applied for nursing.  I loved the idea of making a difference in someone’s life.  I applied, went for interviews and I was offered places in two universities.  I was absolutely buzzing; as we would say in Northern Ireland!  As results day approached, I had these feelings of anxiety and worry.  I had worked so hard to get the grades I needed.  I remember praying to God in the weeks and days coming up to results day.  I asked him to help and guide me in my next steps of life.
 
I got my results and I didn’t get into either of my university choices.  I felt this was God telling me nursing just wasn’t what I was meant to do.  I remember having more feelings of fear and worry.  Why did this happen? Where would life take me?  What was I to do now? As someone who finds comfort in having a feeling of security and knowing what comes next, I was a wreck.  However, I knew I had to put my trust in God and I continued to pray.
 
One of my favourite bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  

I knew God had a plan for me, it just wasn’t the one I had expected.  I put all my faith in Him and He put me on the path to train as a Primary School Teacher and I know this is my true calling in life.  I am still able to make a difference in people’s lives and I am truly grateful I put all my trust in God to allow me to live a life I love.
Sarah had always planned to have a family with her husband, Abraham.  She tried everything and she was even selfless enough to give her husband her handmaid to allow him to have children.  Although, this was not God’s plan for her.  When Sarah was 90, she was told she would have a child.  Sarah laughed when she was told this because she thought she was too old.  However, she put her faith in God and believed that He would keep His word. They were blessed with a son Isaac.  This is an example of how important it is to trust in God’s and He will bless us.
 
To me, Sarah is truly inspirational and one of the women of the Bible I look up to.  Sarah had a plan, and she put her faith in God that He would do what was right for her.  The same way I didn’t get into university, and I put my faith in God that He would guide me on the right path.
 
The idea of things not going to plan is something I feel many people can relate to.  Maybe you’ve worked hard for something in your life and as time goes on, it gets harder and harder to see how you could achieve your goal.  You might find it hard to keep your faith and your relationship with God may waver, like Sarah’s did. Sometimes, we feel like that, but it is so important, as women of God, that we stay strong and resilient in our faith. When things don’t go the way we have planned, we need to have the utmost trust that our Lord is making way for something even better for us.  We need to follow Sarah’s example. She knew that God could do anything, as long as she kept her faith.  Read your Bible. Continue to pray.  Live your life the way you know God wants us to, and you will be rewarded.
As Proverbs 3:5-6 says,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”