Expect the Unexpected

I just looked up Proverbs 16:9 in several different versions. Actually the entire chapter of Proverbs 16 is worth a good study, but verse 9 has come to my mind throughout the day.

"The heart of man plans his ways, but the LORD establishes his steps." ESV
"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." NLT
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." NIV
"The mind of a man plans his ways, but the LORD directs his steps and makes them sure." Amplified Bible

As we embark on this third adoption journey, we know there will be many things that are different from the first two adoptions. We sense that we need to expect the unexpected. (How does one do that?) We sense that this journey will be much more difficult than the first two. Everything already feels harder: trusting God to bring the monies that are needed, researching and praying through decisions about countries/programs, living in the ambiguity of not knowing if this journey will be six months, or twelve months, or more...

Good thing it is the LORD that directs our steps and makes them sure. We're barely out of the starting blocks, and our own steps feel feeble already.