Y’all, why do I do this to myself?
Our church has quarterly potlucks and business meetings—because apparently, business talks go better on full bellies. This time the potluck fell in October… cause we’re not busy enough then.
When we started planning, it was supposed to be a simple soup-and-sandwich meal. Easy. Cozy. Manageable. So when they asked what date worked, I—foolishly optimistic—offered up our only free Sunday. Which just so happened to be the day after Monkey Boy’s second birthday party.
No biggie, right? I’ll just make a simple vegetable beef soup and a few PB&Js for the kids. Easy enough.
Except… we missed a Sunday for vacation. And when I came back, that humble soup-and-sandwich plan had turned into a full-blown Mexican fiesta complete with tacos, empanadas, enchiladas, and someone’s cousin promising homemade churros. (Just kidding on the churros.)
Well, shoot. My game plan had to change. But I’d already bought all the soup ingredients.
I stood there in the kitchen staring at my beef broth and tomatoes, trying to figure out how to make it look remotely fiesta-worthy. Finally, I sighed, shoved it all back in the pantry, and made a grocery list for taco meat and toppings. Because apparently, the Holy Spirit was saying, “You’re going to need some salsa.”
And as I was browning ground beef for what felt like the 500th time that weekend, I thought about the disciples in Matthew 14—the ones who stood there blinking at Jesus when He said, “You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16)
I bet their first thought was, That’s not what we planned today, Lord.
They were tired, probably ready for some peace and quiet after ministry. But Jesus had a different plan—one that didn’t just meet a need, it revealed His power.
“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves.” (Matthew 14:19)
The disciples had one plan; Jesus had another. And His was better.
Standing there stirring taco meat, I realized how often I get stuck in my plan. I cling to my tidy timeline, my menu, my to-do list—then act shocked when God rearranges things.
But maybe His rearranging isn’t an interruption. Maybe it’s an invitation.
Because if the disciples had stuck to their plan, thousands of people would’ve gone home hungry. And if I’d stuck to mine, I would’ve missed the joy of laughing with friends over tacos, watching everyone come together, and seeing God turn my flustered frustration into fellowship.
Proverbs 19:21 says:
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
So next time my plans get flipped like a tortilla on a hot skillet, I’m going to try to pause before pouting. Because sometimes God’s plan just needs me to grab some taco seasoning and trust that He’s still in control of the menu.
And His plan, even when it’s wildly different from mine, always feeds more than I could’ve imagined.
Faithful Finds (Affiliate Links)
If you’ve ever had a “God-changed-my-menu” kind of week, here are a few things that keep me laughing, cooking, and trusting:
- 🥘 My go-to slow cooker for last-minute potluck miracles.
- 📖 NIV Study Bible – helps me see God’s plan in context (and keeps me grounded when mine goes sideways).
- 🖊️ Bible journaling pens – because some verses (like Proverbs 19:21) need underlining twice.
Affiliate Disclosure
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. Gotta keep the coffee, Crockpot, and chaos running somehow. I only recommend products I truly use and love (and that can survive a church potluck).
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