Proverbs 16:9  The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

This verse showed up on my phone this morning via Twitter, and I must say that it has caused quite a stir in my soul.

I’m a planner.  I like to plan out my day to make it as productive as possible.  I like the power of routines that work well.  I like to encourage my kids to be productive, to be responsible, to “get things done”.  I love productivity tools, a clean house and lists/checklists.  (check out my favorite tools HERE.)

Sometimes–ok, a lot of times–I can be overly zealous about this.  I know that must come as a shock to those who know me (not).

As the new school year is looming large, I’ve been working on my daily routines.  I alluded to that in my post yesterday.  I also have been nervously and anxiously awaiting an interview call that will hopefully and prayerfully move my now part-time job to full-time at some point this fall.  In the mean time, I’m trying to make contingency plan upon contingency plan to make sure that my family’s needs are met.

So, this verse has struck a nerve with me this morning, in a good way.  I work so hard, as you do, to keep everything in life balanced and productive.  Moving forward.  Pushing forward.  Pushing my crew forward.

And yet, I often forget God.

Yes, where is God in all of this?  Sure, I pray to Him each morning.   And throughout the day.  I ask Him to bless my plans.  To help me land this job.  To help me to achieve my goals.

My goals.

Get it?

In 13 short words I am jostled out of my reverie of schedules and work and chores and productivity and plans for my future.

It’s good and right to plan.  To be productive.  We can glorify God through our schedules, if we are focused on doing so.  But it is also good—energizing, even—to realize that it is the Lord who establishes my steps.  It is the Lord who sees and knows my future, and has plans for me. He sees and knows what I do not see and know, no matter how much I plan and work towards the future.  In fact, Jeremiah 29:11 states:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

He establishes my steps.  I plan in my heart (well, honestly in my brain and on paper and on my computer), but He establishes my steps.

And really, would I want it any other way?