Many Paths Lead to the Same Destination

No, I've not gone liberal on you. There is only one way to God, by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. This post is about the path we take as we follow His call in our lives, accomplishing His purpose and plan.

How did I get where I am today? I have been asking that question a lot during the past year. This is definitely not the plan I had for my life, but it is God's plan for me and my life...much better than my own, and what an adventure it has been! I would have never dreamed that I would be back at GM, as an engineer after 20 years "retirement" fulfilling my dream of being a "stay at home" mom.

*FLASHBACK*

When I was a little girl, I loved school (yeah, weird, huh?) When I got home from school, I would "play" school. I was always the teacher, and when I couldn't pull my sister away from her Barbie dolls, or fort building, I lined up my dolls and stuffed animals. They were the perfect students. You see, my mom was a teacher, and I admired my mom. I wanted to be like my mom. That was my dream...I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up.

But God had other plans for me. My favorite high school teachers (Ms. Rem - Calculus and Mr. Wellever - Chemistry and Physics) along with both of my parents talked me out of teaching. My teachers and my engineer dad encouraged me along the engineering path since I did so well in math and science, and as a woman, I could pretty much go anywhere with such a degree. Dad wanted me to be independent, able to support myself. Even my mom explained that teaching wasn't what it used to be. There are so many other social issues to deal with, these days.

Since I was a compliant child, I followed the advice of these influential adults in my life and pursued an engineering degree at UofM, graduated, and landed a job at General Motors...

So much happened in the 26 years since...I married an amazing man, raised to wonderful children who make me a proud mama, and through it all, God actually gave me the desires of my heart - to be a teacher, after all:

• *subbing at the kids' private school...which led me to homeschool from 3rd grade through high school.
• *as a Sunday school and children's church teacher
• *training teachers and volunteers
• *leading Bible Studies for children, youth and women.

And now, I'm able to be my husband's helpmate in new ways - yes, different than my ideas, once again.

I had my ideas of what I wanted to do with my life, but God had other plans.

    "The heart of man plans his way,  but the LORD establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9 ESV)

God knows the deepest desires of our hearts and sometimes he fulfills those desires in ways completely different than we could ever imagine.

Always an adventure, so hold on, keep your eyes and ears wide open and attentive so you don't miss what He is doing.