BY KAROL LADD

A FRIEND ONCE TOLD ME, “A flexible woman rarely gets bent out of shape.” I like that! Plans change, challenges arise, and mistakes happen. However, we can remain flexible in the process. A flexible woman looks for alternative options. A flexible woman doesn’t sit back and say, “This is the way we’ve always done it.” Nor does she stew in anger or fear. Instead, she takes positive action.

Now here’s the question: How do we grow to be flexible in God’s hands? – It comes down to our beliefs. If we believe that God is all-powerful, and that He truly loves us, we can rely on Him when life throws us challenges. Ultimately, our faith determines how we respond to difficulties. If our faith in God is weak, we panic. But if our faith in God is strong, we can remain flexible in His hands. Plus, Deuteronomy 31:6 promises, “The Lord your God is with you. He will not fail or leave you” (Easy to Read Version). Therefore, we can confidently say, “Although this isn’t what I planned, I can trust that God will bring something good out of this situation.”

The poem, “He Maketh No Mistake,” reminds us that God is always present – even through the twists and turns of our lives. According to some reports, in 1932, Pastor A.M. Overton wrote the poem after his wife and fourth child died (due to childbirth complications). During the funeral service, Overton wrote the poem on a sheet of paper.

Here’s what it said:

My Father’s way may twist and turn,
my heart may throb and ache;
but in my soul I’m glad I know,
He maketh no mistake.
My cherished plans may go astray,
my hopes may fade away;
but still I’ll trust my Lord to lead,
for He doth know the way.
Tho’ night be dark and it may seem
that day will never break;
I’ll pin my faith, my all in Him,
He maketh no mistake.
There’s so much now I cannot see,
my eyesight’s far too dim;
but come what may, I’ll simply trust 
and leave it all to Him.
For by and by the mist will lift
and plain it all He’ll make.
Through all the way, tho’ dark to me,
He made not one mistake.

Overton’s poem emphasizes the importance of trusting God. Although we can’t always see why challenges occur, we can remain flexible to God’s plan – and remember that “God Maketh No Mistake.”