I’m working on a little project that is exciting to me. Several months ago on Facebook I offered to make something for anyone who wanted a hand-made item from me. The goal was to make something by my own hand within the year and get it to the person who wanted it. It could be anything, as long as I created it myself and I had a few friends who actually asked for something.

So time is slipping away on this and one of the people who requested something from me lives across the world. I decided it was time to get on this now.

I scoured Pinterest for just the right project and found these cute little snack bags to make. I went to my local fabric store and spent an hour mixing and matching fabric to make this project.

Then I looked at the directions for these bags. They are horrible! If you’ve read my writings on sewing pattern directions, you know I struggle with them anyway. The problem I’m having with these directions is there isn’t enough. They are vague. They kind of tell me what I’m to do, but not very clearly.

So what did I do? I stopped. Now I have to think about each step of this process so that I can have a clear direction in which to go.

Sometimes I feel this way about life. I run into a snafu and I seem to be confused or disoriented. I think I know what I’m doing and even seem to be moving along smoothly. But in reality, I’m lost.

Sometimes I’m not sure what plan or direction God has for my life. I look to His Word for guidance and direction, but just don’t see the clear path. And then at other times I can see exactly what God has planned for me.

But here’s what I’ve come to know for certain. God has it. He knows the plan. He knows the direction. As I draw closer to Him, the plan and direction for my life becomes clearer. When I accept the plan and direction God has set for me, then it all comes into focus. I can see and understand more.

God wants what is best for us. We see Scripture that tell us how much He loves us and what He desires for our lives. You may have Jeremiah 29:11 memorized. It’s a beautiful passage that speaks to God’s plan for us.

However, when we look at Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV), we see that we must do our part as well. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” You see, we must seek God with all our heart. We must come to God and pray. Then God and His plan for our lives will become clear.

God shared a little tidbit with Joshua in His instructions before taking on the job of conquering the Promised Land. Listen to this. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8 – NIV)

As we are obedient to God and His commands, His plan and direction for our lives become much clearer. It’s in those moments that we too will be prosperous and successful.

I don’t know if I’ll ever figure out these little snack bags, but I do know that as I become an in-depth student of God’s Word I understand the directions in a way that I never thought possible. God enlightens me through His Spirit and I am able to accept the path that God has laid out for me.

I pray that if you have lost your way that you’ll run back to God’s Word to find direction for your life. Seek God with all your heart and you will find what you’re looking for. The path will become brighter. The directions will be clearer. All you need to do is look to the ultimate Pattern Writer.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna