This week did not end the way I planned.
Last Sunday, I was supposed to be on a plane to Virginia for two weeks of AF Reserve duty. Bags packed, childcare arranged, meals prepped, farm tasks set up—everything ready. And then an ice storm hit, and my active-duty unit told me to delay a week.
Inconvenient, yes—but manageable.
So I spent this week scrambling to get new orders approved, flights booked, and budgets aligned. And just when everything finally fell into place, my phone rang Friday afternoon.
The Derail
“Administrative issue.“
“No travel authorization.“
Then, later, “the Government shutdown.“
And just like that—everything unraveled in a two-minute call.
All the scheduling. All the prepping. All the effort to support both my career and my family… undone. And the longer this gets pushed, the more complicated it gets for my civilian job, for childcare, and for my husband’s spring work trips. The frustration hit me fast and hard.
My knee-jerk reaction?
“That’s it. I should just get out.”
I went straight into catastrophizing—my default when I’m tired, stretched thin, and feeling like I’m juggling too much.
Once the dust settled, I felt ashamed; like I’d failed a test. Instead of immediately handing my concerns over to God, I went into full “repair mode,” calling my team trying to see if there was a work around. This delay will really mess with my timetable for this summer.
Then, this evening, I realized something quietly humbling: I forgot Who holds the timetable.
Failing The Test
Scripture is clear about worry, yet sometimes the simplest verses are the hardest to practice when life blindsides us.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
I wasn’t still. I wasn’t patient. I was spiraling in a hot mess.
The Surrender
Finally, after I’d exhausted every potential solution, I slumped back into my kitchen chair and let out a frustrated sigh. Only then, then did I surrender to Him and throw up my hands.
God is patient with me. And as the frustration began to fade, another thought settled in:
Maybe this delay isn’t punishment.
Maybe it IS protection.
Maybe God is saving me from something—or for something I can’t see yet.
Christmas Isn’t Just for Them — It’s for You Too
There’s a saying: “I want to make Christmas special for them — they’re only kids once.”
That’s true… but I recently heard another mom say, “I only get to experience them like this once.” And it stuck with me.
This season isn’t just for them — it’s for us, too.
If you’re a wife and mom, the holidays can feel like balancing on a unicycle while juggling elephants. Between concerts, sports, work, parties, travel, and family expectations, it’s no wonder we feel stretched thin.
You were never meant to do it all. You were never meant to be perfect.
If we were perfect, Christmas wouldn’t need to exist. There would be no need for a Savior.
But we do need Him — and He came anyway.
He lived sinlessly so our brokenness could be mended. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We celebrate this season because His grace covers us (Ephesians 2:9). He doesn’t ask for perfection — only for hearts turned toward Him.
The King who began His earthly life in a manger understands imperfection more than anyone.
The Delay Can Glorify God
I’m reminded of delays in scripture that were often divine setups.
A reroute. A mercy. A miracle in disguise.
- Joseph’s delay in prison positioned him for the palace.
- David’s delay in becoming king shaped his character.
- Martha and Mary’s delay in seeing Jesus led to a resurrection they never expected.
God’s timing is never careless, even when it feels inconvenient to us.
So I’m choosing today—imperfectly, humbly—to trust that this delay is not a disruption but a direction. A reminder to loosen my grip, to slow my internal narrative, and to remember that God is never late, even when my plans fall apart.
Maybe your week didn’t go the way you hoped, either.
Maybe something you carefully arranged unraveled with one email, one phone call, one unexpected shift. I’m reminded of the scripture: “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
If life has taken a turn against the plans you had, know that it’s okay to struggle with that disappointment. And know that the Lord is establishing a path for you.
Friend, let’s remember this together: Delays don’t derail God’s purpose.
Sometimes they reveal it.
And even here—even in the rescheduling, the frustration, and the unknown — He is faithful.
Until next time, friends,
