Unplanned

As I was talking to Nathan about life, something was said similar to the effect that often we have all these great plans and then usually it ends up being nothing like we planned- and usually better.

That's pretty typical to journeying through life. I'm pretty sure that as we go on varying adventures and journeys, what often sticks out isn't what we planned, but what meets us in the unplanned. Is the whole 'not about the destination, but the journey' coming to mind?

I recently did a weekend of solo travel. I love traveling.  And the unknown. And new places. And just going with the flow. I had gotten to where I was going just fine, drove a scooter around an island, hiked a volcano, and enjoyed every bit. I had a couple initial hiccups on the way back and I realized that I had missed most all the busses that left for the day by about 10 minutes.  I realized then too  that I had forgotten that I had gifted some money earlier in the week and thus it was not in my pockets. That realization brought on further revelation that this is the stuff true adventure is made of. I spoke in Spanish, walked a ways, and kept asking for directions to where the best potential stop would be for one last bus that was coming through who knows when (travel tip: find a person that is going in said direction and watch them). I finally made it onto not a bus but a small van that we packed more than the seating limit into and off we went...I proceeded to tell Jesus that I was relying  on Him to get us home and was waiting to see what happened. Well, there's no big conclusion to the story. Other than that the bus was stopping where I thought it was, but I thought I had caught that the driver was continuing on after everybody got off. I didn't actually want to stop here and would still need another mode of transport. I asked with just a small amount of hope: "Are you ending here in Managua or going to Granada?" To which he responded that he was stopping in Granada where he must live and I was the only person left for a ride; I stepped off several blocks from my house with the equivalent of fifty cents in my possession. So I of course bought plantain chips on the way home and laughed at the five coins jingling in my pocket as I walked down my street.

And that's probably what I'll remember most from that weekend. Not that I didn't see perfect views, felt warmth on my hands from lava, stayed in the same room as a guy from Portland in this little hostel on an island, was proabaly questioning my sanitiy at the fact that I probably could  actually die from driving way too fast on a scooter with a helmet that didn't fit...but sometimes you discover what can't be planned. And it somehow seems like the greatest thing ever and you're not even sure why. Maybe you can find discovery. That's what I think God loves doing with our lives.

He loves our future hopes and dreams. But what if he was actually more about your now? The unplanned in betweens will be unforgettable if we place it in His hands. Keep making plans, but be open to change. Adventure is out there. In the realm of safety, but outside of comfort. He always, always has only the best for you. I want to live a life with so many unforgettable moments. My in betweens, stories to share. What's in front of you now?

...Since the start of writing this post I've had more unplanned adventure...while trying to get home, I decided my flight options were better out of Costa Rica. Which resulted in my googling in the airport how to GET to Costa Rica. A taxi, border crossing, a couple more bus rides, and I was to my destination, or so I thought. There wasn't anymore planes that I could take out that day, and I couldn't stay in the airport...I hopped on yet another bus back to town, with no idea where I was staying that night...long story short, I stayed at a lady's house that I had never met until that bus ride. She was the kindest person, we had some really good conversations, and I saw Jesus in her. It took me two days to get home and it was nothing like I had wanted it to go...yet I wouldn't change it for anything. I couldn't stop smiling that night from how good Jesus was. He had answered prayer and yet again was getting me home, but in His best timing and way.

That's been my unplanned in betweens in just the last couple weeks. I still can't help but smile as they come to mind. God is so incredibly kind to us. He isn't really all that concerned about our plans and dreams( though He does love to do crazy things with our lives), He really wants our hearts, here and now. Right now. He wants what we do now to shape who we will be; sometimes it just means saying yes to the unplanned adventures. And who knows what will happen! That's the beauty of it.