We ended our story of David yesterday with these verses:

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16.9, ESV)

Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way? (Proverbs 20.24, TLB)

Here’s an ongoing example: June and I were planning to fly to the southeast April 16 – 24 to see family and visit a couple of places we haven’t seen in 50+ years. On April 1, she woke up with chest pain. Rather than call 911, she just crawled back into bed, and in about an hour, she was fine. Having a very busy week, she opted not to contact her cardiologist.

Fast forward to Friday, April 12. She went to her family doctor for her annual Medicare physical (she thought). But when she told the doc about the April 1 event, everything changed, and the visit ended with, “And don’t even think about flying next week. You can’t fly. Go to your cardiologist and tell him I said you need an angiogram.” Can’t fly? No problem. We started planning a road trip instead, starting maybe April 23.

By the way, here’s the short version of what an angiogram is:

A coronary angiogram is part of a general group of heart tests and treatments called cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterization uses one or more thin, flexible tubes, called catheters. The tubes are placed within the major blood vessels of the body and the heart. The test requires a small cut in the skin. During a coronary angiogram, a treatment called angioplasty and stenting can be done to open any blocked arteries. – Mayo Clinic

On Thursday, April 18, directed by the cardiologist’s office, June showed up at the Emergency Room in the hospital where he was working that week. (The cardiologist is a friend of ours, a strong believer, and he also knows our general practitioner.) We had thought it would be a consult. Wrong. He read what the GP said and announced, “We need to do an angiogram…now.” Now? “Yes. In a few minutes. You’ll be home by mid-afternoon.”

He did the angiogram, found a blockage, and inserted two stents. “She’ll be fine!” And we were home by 4:00p after being at the hospital from 7:30a – 3:30p. An unexpected adventure.

When I shared the first part of this story, after we had canceled our flight, before we saw the cardiologist, our wise neighbor said, “At our age, plans are optional.” That’s a good word.

So as of this writing, we’re planning a road trip with an adjusted itinerary, leaving April 23. But…plans are optional, aren’t they?

[Paul’s team] went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. (Acts 16.6, 7, MSG)

If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans. – Woody Allen