Recently, my daughter was having a day that was not going the way she expected.
She lost a library book, she forgot her school bag, the clothes she picked out did not match the weather, and life was simply not cooperating with her plans.
As we drove to school, she was obviously distraught and I asked her what was wrong. “This day is just not going how I planned, daddy.” she said.
This gave me pause because there will be many days in her life that will not go as she hopes or plans.
“If life always goes according to your plans,” I replied, “your life is going to be very boring, dear.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
“Think of the things that change your plans like gifts to make your life more interesting. Sometimes these surprises will be disappointing and painful, but sometimes they will be more rewarding and wonderful than anything you could have possibly planned for yourself. Embrace life’s surprises, dear. They are for you, not against you. When things do not go as you planned, smile and ask, ‘What is this experience here to teach me?’”
Meditations on God 