We learn in Genesis that God makes promises and keeps promises. He made a promise to Sarah that she would have a son, even in her old age. We also know how Sarah responded, with good intentions, although her resolution was not God’s promise.

We are a lot like Sarah — intent with our efforts to help God fulfill our dreams, desires, and plans with our timeline for preparing and reaching goals ... until life throws us a curveball, a setback we don’t expect. There are potholes on the road of smooth sailing, detours when we don’t expect them. We cannot afford the delays.

Then we look to God once again, imploring Him to renew us. We realize that without Him guiding us, we do not have the capability. In gratefulness, we learn that God keeps His promise, without our plan.