Whipped cream first

"Do you have any cream for the coffee?"  I asked my host.  "Sure" he replied.  He opened the refrigerator, pulled out the can of whipped cream and promptly filled my empty cup with my favorite topping.   I was a bit surprised! I usually put the whipped cream on last.  My usual  plan is coffee, then whipped cream and a swirl of chocolate syrup.  I couldn't be rude to my generous host.  So I went with his plan of whipped cream first then coffee.

I love his  plan and have now adopted it as my own.  No more whipped cream up my nose at the first sip.  What a great idea!  Why haven't I tried this before?

I have pondered Micah 4: 6-13 for many, many days.    I focused on the pain and grief in Micah's words.   Bad days were coming.  The enemies will be victorious and gloat. Many people will be in exile in Babylon.

I missed the hope his words included .   Verse 12 begins with "But".  Too often bad news follows "but".  However, in this verse "but" precedes very good news. 

"But  they do not know the thoughts of the Lord;  They do not understand His plan..."

Planning is an admired and sought after  characteristic in our society.  Just yesterday I scrolled through Twitter and read up on plans to organize my desk, de-clutter my closet, meal planning  and how to free me from those pesky piles of stuff.  I even shared a few quips at bible study last night.

In my life, I have learned, the hard way through my failed plans, that God's plan is always better. It's the best way.  God's way always ends well.   He has the end in mind from the beginning. He is God,  so it ends as He planned.  Graciously if I follow His plan it will end well for me too.  

Micah delivers the good news that God will give them "horns of iron" and "hoofs of bronze."  I haven't figured out what those mean but I expect  these gifts will be better than I can imagine.  God's plan will surprise me, just like whipped cream first!  God's plan will change my life, for the better, just like whipped cream first!  So sign me up for God's plan, just like whipped cream first.

Today, my thoughts on these verses include:

Hope - God has the best ending planned.

Don't be surprised.  There will be pain before the best arrives.

God has The Plan.

So hang in there with His Plan.

God has planned the victory and shares a bit of the reward.

So God has The Plan. 

            Here's a  bright idea:  I should follow His Plan. 

                        What a good way to start a new day!