I’m sorry, I have no “Laudable Linkage” today. I have not been online this week enough to collect any links to share. So, instead, I thought I share this impactful quote from an Advent book I am (late in) reading:
Sometimes the biggest moments in God’s plan don’t look big at all. Just one person, being faithful, speaking words that heaven whispered first.
There Joseph is, mapping out his future-maybe sketching plans for his carpentry shop, dreaming about his upcoming marriage… and then everything explodes. An angel shows up. His fiancée is pregnant. God’s asking him to raise heaven’s child.
What do you do when God’s story crashes into yours? Joseph could’ve walked away. Made sense, really. But instead… he stayed. Named the baby Jesus. Became a dad to God’s Son. Changed diapers, taught woodworking, probably worried about providing enough.
God keeps showing up in our carefully planned lives, too. Interrupting our schedules. Rearranging our priorities. Asking us to trust Him with things that don’t make sense. We get this invitation–not just to believe in Jesus, but to let Him reshape everything. Our dreams. Our fears. Our everyday moments. What if we said yes? What if we let God’s story become ours?
Not just a decision we make once. More like breathing–constant, necessary, life-giving.
From Mercy Mild: A 25-Day Christmas Devotional Tracing Christ’s Love from Eden to Eternity by Josh Taylor
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
God interrupts our plans so that we can be involved in His perfect ones.
It takes a while for my heart to catch up with my head on this–knowing His plans are best, yet overwhelmed sometimes by what they will involve.
Oh wow…I love this. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes we just don’t realize how much God really is showing up in our lives ….or get frustrated when He does because He interferes with our plans. Thanks, Friend.
We know in theory that His plans are better–but in reality, we cling to our plans. Oh for grace like Mary and Joseph, to say, “Yes, Lord,” even when things change in big ways and suddenly.
Thank you so much for this reminder, when my child was diagnosed with cancer, it was hard to accept, but I’ve learned to trust Him and have gained a new perspective, friends, and life meaning.
That would be one of the hardest things to endure–when something that severe happens to a child. We had two pastors with children with leukemia–one survived and one didn’t. So heartbreaking.
An acquaintance of ours going through his own cancer journey has shared wonderful things God has taught Him through all this and ways He has drawn near. I’m thankful God has been doing the same for you.
Awesome phrase — God’s story crashing into ours. It does feel that way at times!! May God grant me the ability to accept His story with grace and contentment. Happy 2026 to the Harpers!
I was struck by that phrase, too. Especially in the Christmas story, several lives are upended by the stupendous news that the Messiah was to be born. Ultimately it was all for the good. I pray for that grace, too, especially when upended plans don’t look or feel good in the moment.
Happy 2026 to you and your family, too!
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I love this Message Barbara. So true so true.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend. I’m so happy you’re here.