The perfect plan

I had the perfect plan all laid out: open a cyber cafe, manage a car hire business with my brother—who was all excited about a fresh start—while I focused on my main gig: providing business software solutions. Simple, right? Well, not so much. I paid for my brother’s transport to come and kick things off, only for him to realize the vision was too big for him. He decided to head back home and pick up where he left off. Ouch. I had already started investing, so that hit like a ton of bricks.At first, I was frustrated, but then I remembered Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” I had made all these grand plans, but perhaps God was redirecting me for a reason. It was a lesson that no matter how carefully we plan, things can change, and we need to adapt.When I shared this story with my current landlady—who, by the way, is also housing the cyber—she dropped some unexpected wisdom on me. She said, “Don’t depend on anyone. Look at me! I expanded my shop and even offered you some space at an agreed rate. Whether you came or not, I knew I’d still expand and find another tenant.” That one stung a bit, but it made me think about how much I had been relying on others to make my vision come to life.Her words reminded me of Jeremiah 17:5: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” It wasn’t just about trusting my brother; it was about recognizing that my ultimate source of strength and success couldn’t come from people alone. I needed to put my trust in God and rely on Him to guide my steps.I started questioning whether I should go ahead with the cyber cafe at all. But then Colossians 3:23 came to mind: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” I realized that if I was going to do this, I had to give it my all—not because I was relying on my brother or anyone else, but because I was doing it for a greater purpose.So, I moved forward with the cyber, and yes, my brother left two days after we launched. But here’s the thing: I’m still standing. I’ve learned not to be discouraged by setbacks, but to keep my eyes on the reward ahead. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” This has been a reminder that even when things don’t go according to plan, perseverance brings its own rewards.Now, I look to the future with faith, knowing that while my plans may change, the purpose behind them remains solid. The experience taught me not to depend solely on others, but to trust God’s timing and keep moving forward, no matter the challenges.