We are returning from a trip to attend our grandson’s second birthday. I’d been looking forward to spending time with our three youngest daughters and their families. However, there were some challenges to this trip.

First, our usual person who boarded our dog was unable to do so. I called a dog kennel that we’ve used before, but they were booked up. We tried to find someone local who would take our dog to no avail. The day before we left, I heard about a woman who runs a business finding homes for people to board their dogs in, so I called her. She was able to keep our dog, Oni, if we dropped her off at noon. That put us behind schedule, but we had a dog sitter.

Second, the neighbor boy who checks on our cats while we’re gone wasn’t home. He’d gone to the mountains with his parents and was unavailable. We had no one else to call on, so we put out plenty of food and water, and are praying they will be okay. I’m sure they will, but they miss the social interaction.

Third, we were running late because of the dog issue and on the freeway we ran into road construction. The ten mile stretch was bumper to bumper traffic creeping along at a snail’s pace. We arrived at our destination late, tired, but so thankful to be there and to be safe.

There were plenty of reasons to be upset and to be grouchy on this trip. Have you ever had that happen? Where one thing goes wrong and then another and another? Where it seems like everything is working against you and you begin to question God’s plan and wonder if you’re walking the right path?

“The footsteps of a man are established by Yahweh, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because Yahweh is the One who sustains his hand.” Psalm 37:23 (LSB)

When we trust in the Lord, He establishes our steps. He knows the pitfalls we face, the struggles, and the obstacles in our way. Even when those are trivial—such as a traffic slowdown—God understands. 

God wants us to take that frustration and turn it into a prayer and praise time. When we pray and worship God in those times of trial, the burdens we face are often lifted. The stumbles we have by grumbling or getting angry are lifted as we remember God is in charge. God takes our hand and sustains us.

Not only that but He often gives little gifts to us. We have to be open to looking for the treasures God gifts us, but they are there.

On this trip, I was given a lovely gift—actually several. My two older grandsons were able to spend the night with us and we had such a great time. My two-year-old grandson gave me a hug and a kiss, something he hasn’t done before. This grandma was thrilled.

Perhaps the greatest gift happened on Sunday morning. We attended church with two of our daughters. One of our daughters was singing with the worship team, the other was standing beside me. For years, I led worship with these two daughters—one of my most precious memories. As my daughter led a song in worship, my other daughter and I harmonized and it was almost like being back to doing worship together. I hadn’t expected that, but was so blessed to have it happen.

Remember the next time everything seems to be going wrong, that God has your footsteps in mind. And that He is bestowing little blessings. Watch for them. Anticipate them with joy.