Only God Knows

✨A Personal Note
I originally wrote this devotion during the COVID-19 pandemic, when so much in life felt uncertain. As I read it again, I couldn't help but smile and reminisce about this sweet memory with my son and the life lesson God used through it.
It reminded me that while seasons change and circumstances look different, God's wisdom never does. I wanted to share this with you today as a reminder that only God knows what only God knows, and He is still faithfully guiding you and me every step of the way; everyday!❤️

"Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."
Psalm 147:5

We hit a major milestone in our house recently. Our son received his intermediate license this past week, meaning he can drive without one of us in the car. If you've been through this, you know it's a big deal! We were so thrilled for him.
He had literally waited three and a half months longer than he should have because of the pandemic. (He was scheduled to take his road test exactly one day after the licensing offices closed.) He was disappointed, to say the least, but we managed for a few extra months. He gained additional driving experience and passed with no problem.
There was one little hiccup, though.
On several occasions, we took him to the testing area to practice parallel parking. Every time, I was adamant about one thing.
"Back up until the red line on the backup camera crosses the white line in the parking space," I would say.
Without question, he followed my instructions.
On the day of the test, I was so relieved as he smiled and waved his passing test paper in the air as he exited the car.
But as we were headed home, he said something that surprised me.
"Mom, you told me wrong. I wasn't supposed to back up that far."
I was shocked. In my mind, backing up that far made perfect sense, and it certainly made it easier to get out of the parking space.
Lesson learned.
Consult the experts in the future.
In this case, the driver's manual.
That little lesson reminded me of the importance of consulting the Expert in life too. Far too often, we seek the counsel of friends, family, pastors, and others when we should first be seeking the Lord for direction and wisdom regarding certain situations in our lives.
That's not to say their advice and prayers aren't helpful and comforting. Sometimes God even uses others to help lead and guide us.
However, in the end, only God truly knows.
Loved ones and friends may think they know (just as I was so sure about parallel parking), but sometimes they can't see what God sees.
I've often shared the story about God telling us to leave our home church and how it made so little sense to so many people. We didn't even have another church to attend. I remember sitting in the pew the day we made the announcement that we were leaving.
The pastor who baptized me as a little girl had gone to heaven several years earlier, but his wife was still there. She taught me in preschool, and I had known and respected her all my life.
As we shared what God was directing us to do, she gently patted my knee and said,
"We'll see you when you come back home."
She said it in the most loving way she knew how, and she truly meant it. But we knew that God had other plans and that even the most well-respected family members and friends might not understand or know what was best for us in that season.
Only God knew.
Friend, let my little life lessons encourage you today. Even well-meaning loved ones won't always understand the path God has chosen for you. But you can be assured of one thing: when you seek to follow His will, you will pass your tests with flying colors.
Because...
Only God Knows!
Let's Pray
Dear God,
Thank You for Your guidance in my life. I long to seek You for answers above all else. Guide and direct me today, Lord. I know that Your ways are not my ways and often make little sense to my human mind. But I also know that when I follow Your will, You will take care of all my needs according to Your riches in glory.
Thank You for Your perfect love.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I pray,
Amen.
E4M DAILY STRATEGY
"Only God Knows What Only God Knows!"
It's a deep thought, but ponder it for a moment. Then finish the following sentences by listing four areas or situations where you are desperate for God's direction right now.
God, I need help understanding: _______________________________________
God, I need wisdom to make a decision regarding: _________________________
God, I need self-control in: ___________________________________________
God, I need motivation to: ___________________________________________
God knows!
When you take all your concerns and needs to Him, He promises to give you wisdom and guidance.