What do you do when nothing seems to go the way you thought it should? Josh and I have done a lot of counseling with individuals and with couples over the years and expectations is always a topic of discussion. When we’re squeezed in life is the time we really see what’s inside come out.

Well, we had some high expectations for our all inclusive trip to a beautiful resort that Josh’s parents graciously prepared for 2 years to take us to. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for our family to spend some quality time with his parents in a beautiful setting. Well, suffice it to say, NOTHING, and I repeat, nothing went according to plan. Expectations were adjusting before the trip even occurred. 

I’ll spare details and hit the major lowlights. We arrived safely and enjoyed a beautiful day. Then, we got sick. I mean sick. We got really sick. All 5 of us. I went down first and I went down hard. There was so much vomiting and diarrhea that week in a hotel room, with 1 bathroom. Housekeeping came 4 times on top of the normal daily cleaning of the room. Someone tried to make it to the bathroom but vomited the entire way to the bathroom on the tile floor then slipped in the vomit. Just saying, we were sick.

I was really hoping the last day we would feel better and be able to enjoy time together, but a small tropical storm ripped through and much of the beach was in need of repair and the water was too rough for anyone to go in or on. I was seriously starting to wonder if we were on a Punk’d vacation special. 3 out of 5 even stepped on something or got stung by something, honestly, what are the odds of that happening?  

Our youngest was not able to keep any fluids down so we took him to the doctor on site and he got anti vomiting medicine and an IV for 6 hours. The day we left everyone was perking up and feeling a lot better just in time to fly home. 

Honestly, everyone was okay and in the end that is ALL that mattered to us. Sure we missed out on amazing food, beautiful views and fun together, but we also have some great memories (without vomiting). None of it was what we expected, but it all still came through the hands of a loving, sovereign God. 

I have numerous friends going through serious trials right now, the things they expected and hoped for in life have been dashed to pieces and it hurts. I can’t imagine how much it hurts for them walking through it and it hurts for me walking beside them. When life doesn’t turn out how we want or expected we must cling to the truth. I was praying with a sweet friend the other day and she prayed, “Lord, when we can’t see clearly, help us to trust Your character.” He is good, He is sovereign, He is always loving, He is kind, compassionate, full of mercy and grace. When you can’t see it, trust it. In order to know His character in the dark times you have to study it at all times. Whether it’s unexpected sickness destroying your vacation or so much deeper pain you’re experiencing trust His character, lean into it, learn it ever deeper, because He won’t fail.