July 2026
Those who know me well know that flexibility isn’t an area where I excel. I like to have a plan; I like to follow the plan; I generally don’t like surprises (other than a few happy ones). In fact, I keep several calendars going at once, but written so they’re erasable. As we travel the NC State Parks, there have been several times we have had to reschedule or change plans. July has been a time of me learning to be flexible and learning to trust the Lord when I don’t know the plan.
We have rescheduled several trips or parks. Some have been because more pressing matters have come up. We had some funerals to attend that were more important, and so trips were put off for later. In July, North Carolina finally received some much-needed rain. That rain happened to coincide with one of our state park trips. Instead of visiting four parks that weekend, we were only able to go to three. I was pleasantly surprised by how well I adjusted to the change of plans. Usually, it bothers me a lot more when we have to make changes. I see this as progress. The temperatures were unseasonably cool in July, and the skies were overcast. This made for very pleasant hiking conditions. While we have a few more parks to fit in than we anticipated, by the end of August we should be more than halfway through our list. Our goal is still well within reach. Not only are we completing a goal, but we have all genuinely enjoyed our trips. It has been a great time outdoors. We are learning more about trees, birds, plants, and soil as we explore and help Elijah complete his Jr. Ranger program. It has been exciting to share our trips with others via social media. I find myself looking forward to what we have planned rather than going along just to meet a goal.
We also received another surprise in July. We found out that we are expecting another baby! Given my age, we weren’t sure if we would have any more, so this was a great surprise. While this is super exciting, I have also been struggling with so many fears after losing a baby via miscarriage last year. This is an area where I have really been praying hard. Not only am I praying for a healthy pregnancy and baby, but I have also been praying that the Lord would help me to stop worrying and to trust in Him. I have no control over the length of life of any of my children. It is not up to me; it is in God’s hands. I do not have the power to sustain life without the hand of God. He gives, and He takes away. I am doing all I can to stay healthy. As the internet likes to remind me, I am old. It can be hard to find positive comments about pregnancy in your 40s. I am blessed to know several great women at my church who are excellent mothers who have had children in their 40s. God has blessed us with this child, and I need to praise the Lord for every day we are given.
The start of a new school year also brings many firsts and lasts for our oldest child. I don’t know how I’m going to navigate the hormones of being pregnant through my oldest’s senior year. We are planning all the things that go along with it… pictures, graduation, prom. She also has that looming question of, “What’s next?” She is exploring her options while attending general classes at the local community college, as part of a dual enrollment program, and considering what direction she might like to take in the future. There are times that I struggle as I still see her as my little girl, but I realize that she has turned into a young lady now. It is such a blessing to see her love and follow the Lord. She serves as a reminder that sleepless nights, discipline, and hard days are all worth it to train our children to love God and to love others. All too soon, I’m going to have to let that one go… another change, with mixed emotions.
Life changes. We cannot be rigid in our plans or schedules. Thankfully, even though we cannot see what the future holds, we have a Sovereign God who is in control of it all! Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” We must continue to follow the Lord no matter what comes our way. Paul sets us an example in Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” I pray the Lord continually brings me to a place where I can sing:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
(It Is Well; written by Horatio Spafford)