Sometimes God allows a door to close to keep us from walking into something that would destroy us, or to keep us from missing the very best He has for us -Charles Stanley

God's ways are just better than mine. Period. No questions asked.

I want to share a miracle that happened in my life just a few days before heading off to training camp for my mission trip.

This past weekend, my dad and I decided we both needed new sunglasses. I was looking for a solid pair for my trip: polarized, dark tint, and durable frames. When we got to the outdoor mall, my mom spotted a jewelry store, so we stopped in there first. After spending about an hour inside, we headed over to the eyewear shop, only to find it was already closed for the day. We ended up wandering around for a bit until we stumbled upon another sunglasses shop none of us had ever been to before.

While we were looking around, I got to talking with the store manager about my upcoming trip and how blessed I felt to have the opportunity to serve overseas. We chatted back and forth, asking each other about our churches, past mission work, and how the funding was coming along. I mentioned that I'd had incredible support and had actually just completed my fundraising the day before.

Then she asked, "Do you have a pair of sunglasses for the trip yet?"

I told her I was still looking, but wasn't sure how much I wanted to spend and was planning on checking out a cheaper spot. Right then, she asked if she could help purchase them for me.

She blessed me with a new pair of glasses, lens cleaner, and an incredible new testimony of how the Lord moves in even the smallest details.

Our plans had to change, our destination changed, and God used that shift to change how I look at the little moments in my life. Thank you so much to her for the glasses, and let's all THANK GOD that He watches over every detail. Even the things we buy. He is so good, and He is so present.

Choose to look for Him in your life today, and I guarantee you'll see Him show up.

...

This whole story reminds me so much of Paul's missionary journey in Acts 16:

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. - Acts 16:6-7

Paul had a solid plan to do work for God. His work would have been good, and his intentions were pure. However, God's plans were even better. Through God's redirection, Paul was able to share the gospel with an entirely new continent. Paul was willing to pivot according to God’s will, and that obedience brought incredible blessings to the people of Troas and eventually all of Europe!

A closed door isn't always God's denial!

Sometimes God is working in ways far beyond our understanding to help others and grow us in ways we haven't even imagined.