Does God Change His Mind?

"Sometimes things don't go the way we expect, not because He's punishing us, but because He's protecting us or preparing us." 

A wise friend

Does God change His mind? Or do we change and so He has to go to Plan B? I usually take the time to think out what I’m writing before I post, but right now, I feel like I don’t know much of anything so the only thing I have is questions.

This time last year, I was certain God was moving me. I started giving away furniture, ready to go wherever it was He wanted me. I started looking for non-profit jobs out-of-state, certain that’s where I was supposed to be. I still have storage bins I haven’t unpacked from that original thought. While going through that job search, a friend pointed me to GO Project. I loved their mission and instantly felt called to go on a five-day trip to Haiti with them. While I was there I discovered the organization had a communications fellowship. I came back convinced and convicted that God had this plan for me, that by August I would be in Haiti for a year.

I couldn't wait to share my news with everyone. Despite people’s doubt in my answering this supposed call, I wasn't wavered. It all made sense. I had the education, the experience and the heart for it. This is what I do for a living and now I could combine that with my passion. A perfect fit like this could only be the hand of God, right? That’s what I thought. As I explained this to one of my friends on a walk, she drew from the wisdom I admire in her: You have the education, the experience and the passion. There’s nothing tying you down here. In our human eyes, it all adds up. So if it doesn't happen, that’s exactly how you know God has something else in mind.  A week later, I found out He apparently had something else in mind. I wouldn't end up in Haiti or out of state. He kept me right where I was.

Less than a year later, I thought I had His “real” plan figured out. My heart for foster care was what sent me to Haiti. Not long after I got back from Haiti, in April, Quincy officially became host to a chapter of The Forgotten Initiative, an organization devoted to building a relationship between the Church and the foster care system. As the main advocate, my friend Amy now had the task of raising awareness, volunteers and funds. She recruited me as a team member, and from day one I have loved everything about this mission. I've had so much fun using the gifts I feel God has given me to serve some awesome people that too often don’t have the resources they need. The more time spent working with the team and the more DCFS workers I met, the more I felt God calling me to go further in my commitment.  When I was married, my husband and I talked about doing foster care, but it was never something I thought of doing on my own. That thought was overwhelming. But one day a DCFS worker just straight out asked me, “Why aren't you a foster parent?” When you've seen some of these children’s situations, all the reasons you can come up with in that moment just seem like excuses.

1. Me: There’s only one of me. God: One advocate for a child is better than none and you have more than enough people in your life willing to help out. 
2. Me: I can’t afford it. God: You just paid your off; that will free up some funds. 
3. Me: I need a bigger place. God: Here's a substantial raise for you to get a bigger one. 

One by one through the months, God eliminated the excuses and now it was my turn to respond in faith.

So I did. When not one but two friends asked me why I didn't just buy a house, my excuses had run out. I started looking and I found the perfect house in the area I wanted. It passed the inspection with flying colors and I locked in at a great interest rate with a final payment less than my current rent and old car payment combined. I felt God saying yes, yes, yes; until He said no.

Today I got the call that the house fell through and with that news came the flood of questions, just like last summer. But tonight for this entry, my focus is just one. Does God change his mind? If you have prayed and fasted over a situation, studied God’s Word and examined your heart and thoughts in light of it and sought the wisdom of others, how is it that it doesn't end up the way you thought it was supposed to be? Am I that far off or is He calling an audible for the back-up play, Plan C? Does God change His mind?

I don’t have the answer. So tonight I sat down to find it.

This is what I found:

Malachi 3:6- For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

James 1:17- Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Number 23:19- God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. 

Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

PEOPLE! REROUTING HERE! TIME OUT! No lie this just happened after I finished typing that last verse:

My landlord called. I left her a message earlier letting her know the sale fell through and I’d be sticking around awhile longer. First, let me start by saying my landlord has been an angel for me. When I first made the decision to separate from my husband I made that decision with every intention that I was going back home to him, but while we were doing counseling I needed to be in a safe place. The problem was no one wanted to give me a short term. I was an emotional wreck and I felt like I was going to be in a financial wreck. She took a risk on me, joining me in prayer that my marriage would be saved. She told me when God said it was my time to go, I go.

Fast forward to our conversation tonight. She was sad for me, knowing how hard I've worked to move forward. But she called to ask me if I wouldn't mind her showing my apartment to the tenant across the street. The apartment he's in is just too big for him, and since I'll still be looking for a house, this will at least maybe help him stay in the one he has a little longer knowing mine will be opening up within the year. As we were talking about his situation, I told her I had the exact opposite problem - my biggest problem is that I've outgrown this one and I need more space and that's one of the reasons I started looking to buy; I wanted a bigger place but no lease. She said, "Well, Anna, what would you think about swapping with him? Or better yet! I had a wonderful couple move out of a house down the street last week and it has a room upstairs that would be great for a child. And no lease; when it's your time to move, you move."

She said all of this not knowing that I'm sitting here writing about how I'm supposed to get a house so I can do foster care and trying to figure out what God's doing.

So I just straight out said, "Claire, you won't believe it, but I've been sitting here searching my Bible trying to answer the question does God change His mind. I had just typed a verse that said He doesn't, but I hadn't figured out what I thought about that yet, and then you called!"

So here's what I think about what I found:

She said the same thing she told me two years ago: when it's your time to go, you go. God doesn't change His mind. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

All of these moments have been chances for me to step out in faith toward His calling - the same one He has for all of us: to GO and share His love. When I was ready to move states, that step was giving away furniture. When I was ready to move to Haiti, I was willing to give up my financial security and everyday comforts. When I was ready to start foster care, I invested in the potential of a home. As my best friend said when I told her about tonight, "He just needed to get you to that point, just like the Haiti thing! (Note: she didn't know I was sitting here typing about that already either!) It changed your heart and when it did, He had something else in store. He knew all along. We're the silly humans that can't see what He's doing."

Another friend said, "Sometimes things don't go the way we expect, not because He's punishing us, but because He's protecting us or preparing us. Maybe you went to Haiti so you could learn to love children more. Maybe He sent you to prepare you to foster one day. Maybe you went because when you're 85 you're going to be called back. Only God knows, and that's okay."

My mom said, "Who are we to question God?"

I shouldn't; but tonight, I'm glad I did. Skipping training to sit here seeking understanding led me to the answer I needed. My situation may have changed, but God hasn't changed His calling on my life. Just like Numbers 23 said, "Does He speak and then not act?" No. God is still acting, just in ways I can't see - YET. God is all-knowing, all-powerful. He is sovereign. He has a plan and a purpose. He fulfills both.

He doesn't change.

"For I know the plans I have fore you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11