Man Proposes, God Disposes

@Shiva49 (26281)
Singapore
September 5, 2021 10:10am CST
I have heard this saying from young. I feel no truer words have been spoken. Almost everyone’s plans have turned upside down over the last year and a half. And to think no one saw it coming despite a few who claim to see into the future through divine inspiration and what not. The reality of the pandemic refuses to go away any time soon. It is not life as usual despite our trying to look away. We are handicapped carrying a baggage everywhere we go. We are forced to hunker down. The positive side is we proved we are made of sterner stuff than previously thought. Of course, we were playing with fire, spoiling for a fight, but then this external, unseen enemy is stalking us at every turn. We are resigned to get used to it subjecting ourselves to vaccinations with even booster doses to follow. It is said God has a plan but we are not privy to it. Okay, we can make our own plans but the overall plan can catch us by surprise, make mincemeat of ours! In the present time, carpe diem makes more sense to me as one day follows another. Keeping it simple, biding our time, and with hopes springing eternal should see us through this dark tunnel. How are you coping and keeping the chin up? Image: Reality Bytes
14 people like this
12 responses
@JudyEv (328666)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Sep 21
This was a saying of my Mum's - Man proposes but God disposes. It's certainly proving true at the moment. As an individual I haven't really been tested by the virus. We've been very lucky here.
5 people like this
@JudyEv (328666)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Sep 21
@Shiva49 There has been some talk that the vaccine isn't effective for very long - maybe six months or a little longer. Hopefully it's just rumour.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
@JudyEv It is said booster doses may be necessary after eight months or so, but no clear indication, consensus, yet.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
Good, no wonder Australia is referred to as the Lucky Country. When you are in the suburbs you have less to fear from this virus unlike in crowded cities. I observe this pandemic comes in waves. It sweeps through a territory sort of hunting down the vulnerable. Then it looks for virgin territory and then a mutant, variant, follows. Vaccination is the key as those fully vaccinated have only mild symptoms even if infected.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (87134)
• United States
5 Sep 21
I have no idea how I am doing it but it is something inside of my..my spirit I suppose. I do pray a lot Shiva.
5 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
Yes, prayers help to tide over tough situations. No problems without inherent solutions too.
2 people like this
• United States
11 Sep 21
4 people like this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
11 Sep 21
@RebeccasFarm, that's great attitude my friend, we need to always pray for that's what God wants us to do to get protection and salvation.
4 people like this
@allknowing (130817)
• India
5 Sep 21
All what comes to mind is what can't be cured has to be endured. This situation has not affected me much as I am a home body and have enough on my plate to keep me occupied.
4 people like this
@allknowing (130817)
• India
6 Sep 21
@Shiva49 I did not know you are stuck in India That must be very stifling for you.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
Nice to hear that. I have also restricted my visits to the doctor and waiting for scheduled flights to resume to return to Singapore. As it stands now, It looks easier to go to heaven than from one country to another!
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
@allknowing For a year and a half. International travel has become torture now.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247204)
• United States
14 Sep 21
Life is what you make of it. Right now, we wear masks and avoid crowds and await booster shots.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247204)
• United States
14 Sep 21
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
14 Sep 21
We need to do what is necessary to survive, then the rest can follow. We should get our priorities right
3 people like this
@innertalks (21250)
• Australia
6 Sep 21
"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.' (Proverbs, chapter 16, verse 9, from the Christian Bible) We can make all of the plans we want, but in the end, God is always the fly, in our ointment. We cannot remove God, from any plan, of ours. I have taken a few positives from this pandemic. I am enjoying quiet times more, and when we go out, numbers are capped, so no more overcrowded venues. It is worrying, though, as the virus can move quickly, stealthily, and has a killer look about it too. We do not know what side of our bread it is buttering itself too...
@innertalks (21250)
• Australia
6 Sep 21
@Shiva49 Most people do not appreciate his jokes though, and most people here are hoping he does not win the US Open. The tall poppy syndrome still operates in its fullness here.
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
7 Sep 21
@innertalks Time will cut everyone to size. When he loses nowadays the joke is on him as he is more a bad loser than a gracious one!
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
Yes, God should add his love (tough love as of now) to our plans for them to see the light of the day. It is said whatever happens there is always a positive side, aspect, to them. Maybe, like squeezing blood out of stone though it may be ours only, but squeeze we must! Some egos have taken a beating, those who thought they were the lord of the universe. Though smarting from this unwelcome visitor, we are fighting back to the wall, in fits and starts at times. It is irony some who reveled in unlimited freedom are hurting more than those under dictatorships as for the latter even the big boss has been humbled! It is par for the course for them.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203449)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Sep 21
I have been through a lot over the years. Keeping my chin up. But not sure how close God is listening to me. Just my opinion.
5 people like this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
11 Sep 21
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
Sometimes it is for the long haul to find solutions. We are tested on our patience.
4 people like this
@CarolDM (203449)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Sep 21
@Shiva49 And other times we find no solutions.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (158296)
• United States
8 Sep 21
Since school is open here, I go to school. Our school has the methodology to test on site, so they are doing a lot of testing. I help people, especially children where ever I can. I also have to look out for my own family. I am getting extra rest on orders from my doctor, though.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
8 Sep 21
Yes, no precaution is enough it seems as the virus rages on. Good that you are doing your best in the circumstances.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58482)
• Germany
5 Sep 21
I just pray every morning. God listens. I know this will end but of course in Gods time
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
5 Sep 21
That is well expressed. In the meantime, it is up to us to face the music.
2 people like this
• Germany
5 Sep 21
@Shiva49 Oh ok.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (134833)
• Roseburg, Oregon
8 Feb 22
Life is what you make of it and what you do with your life.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
8 Feb 22
True, keeping our chins up helps to ride through tough times. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
6 Sep 21
Only God knows when He shall decide to end the pandemic . We need to pray so hard to convince God
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
11 Sep 21
@Shiva49, it seems nowhere go hide, but let's remain hopeful that this pandemic shall end soon.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
Yes, our earnestness to get rid of this pandemic matters too. No easy way out.
2 people like this
@just4him (310766)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Sep 21
I've learned God's plans are always better than my plans. This pandemic didn't take Him by surprise. I'm taking it one day at a time and trusting God to get me through.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
10 Sep 21
Good, all are within his overall plan and are there for a purpose. A lot has happened in the past and will happen in the future too. With Him on board, we have nothing to fear.
1 person likes this
@bbghitte (3294)
• Philippines
6 Sep 21
I always that God is in control of everything and I agree with what you said, carpe diem makes more sense these days.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26281)
• Singapore
6 Sep 21
God's plans may not make sense to us now but he is the charioteer and knows what he is doing. He owns this real estate! We are mere tenants with a duration that is not even a blip in the overall scheme of things.
1 person likes this