I vividly remember the mornings where phonics by workbook just didn’t work. Instead, we would move to the living room, push furniture out of the way, and begin tossing index cards with letters of the alphabet all over the floor. With a few makeshift twigs, string, and paper clips, we’d “fish” for words.

My fourth child and first son struggled to learn to read. At times, the frustration was so high, we’d put the books and games away for months. It simply wasn’t the right time, and pushing it was only hurting my relationship with him, as well as our days!

My son excelled in math and loved the outdoors and building with Legos. I couldn’t understand why grasping and remembering the sound of the letters was too difficult for him. Every few weeks or so, I’d pull out the phonics material and see if he was ready. I’ll never forget the day when the light bulb seemed to flip on and he learned to read almost overnight.

Fast forward ten years, and this young man towers over me at over six feet tall. He reads well, leans heavily on logic, and scratches his head at the emotions of his sister. I worried he’d struggle his whole life, but he didn’t. He just needed time to develop; it was the way God created him.

As a type A personality, I’m all about making plans. I feel secure in knowing what is going to happen. I even get excited about tackling the day, knowing I have a list to complete. But most of life isn’t about a checklist, and it’s rarely on our time table.

It is our heavenly Father who plans our days, and through His wisdom, the big picture is incorporated. It can be frustrating, sad, and even hurtful at times, but it can also be full of joy and happiness.