“I would never marry a preacher, farmer, or live in Tennessee,” said a foolish young woman. She thought preachers led a boring life, farmers had a difficult life, and Tennessee was too far away from her home in Northern Ohio. Fortunately, things do not always turn out the way we plan.
The young woman’s sister had a friend whose dad was a pastor. They saw him one day as he worked on his sermon. “Pastoring must be a dull life,” the young woman thought. Her experience at church had been very unexciting. She believed in God but could not get into the church thing.
Farmers had to work too hard, got very dirty, and couldn’t possibly enjoy slopping hogs. The thought was gross to her. She wanted to marry someone who had a clean job and smelled good when he came home.
After a visit to Tennessee, she decided that would be the last place she’d ever want to live. People talked funny there.
Within the next year or two, she attended a different church; this church was exciting. Here she met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She also met a young man who captured her heart, and they were soon married. Although he grew up on a farm, his parents had recently sold it. He did have a desire to work in full-time ministry, however. He became a pastor, and she was a preacher’s wife.
After a couple of years pastoring, they moved to where his parents had recently relocated—Tennessee. His parents bought another farm there and needed their son’s help.
That foolish young woman was me. I married a preacher, farmer, and moved to Tennessee within a four-year period.
Pastoring wasn’t boring. We served and worshiped with some wonderful people. Farming was rewarding, although it was hard work. We had cattle, chicken, horses, and I slopped some hogs. Living in Tennessee was wonderful. The people are friendly; the rolling hills, trees, and lakes are beautiful. I love their “funny” talk. You may hear that Southern drawl come out of my mouth from time to time.
We can make the best thought-out plans for ourselves but forget something very important. Our plans are not necessarily the Lord’s plans. His plans took me on a journey I never expected. My husband is no longer a pastor but fulfills the call of God on his life in another area of ministry. We are following His plans for us.
Are you following the Lord’s plans? It may be that thing you said you would never do or place you would never go that God is preparing for you too.
“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” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).