Have you ever made plans that did not work out due to "circumstances" you had no control over? Sure, you have, we all have.
With that thought in mind it changed what I wanted to include in this series and why I felt it was important. Those who follow Daily Favor know that I share what is happening in my life and how I know God's favor is real, despite what "things" may look like.
If I am not teaching, "favor-ites" (DF followers) know "something" must be happening and in time they will hear about it either here (somewhere) or on my You Tube posts (no, I still cannot upload videos, but do keep posts. Another thing I am working on ...).
So here goes ...
Is the vision lost?
Besides ongoing hubby things, these past seven months had changes coming from every direction, preventing me from moving forward with the "vision" for my life that weighs heavy on my heart.
Working, doing cat rescues, caring for hubby, doctor stuff, yardwork, and regular household chores, things were finally falling in line (for the most part) due to the schedule I had meticulously fashioned. The next step of the vision was going well and I had hopes for a good result when the following events changed everything.
In late September 2025 our fifteen-year-old rescue cat Izzy had a blockage that almost took his life, causing him to spend ten days in the hospital. We spent every day going back to the hospital to feed him, because they could not get him to eat.
Finally, he was home in recovery and doing well caring for himself as in the past concerning eating, drinking, or using the litter. While we were still caring for Izzy another critical situation happened.
On October 14th, I began laying out the foundation of a new book I had been working on over the course of several months. In-between work, caring for hubby and rescue stuff I noticed one of the cats barely eating or moving around much (which was unlike him).
Keeping a watchful eye of him we knew something was wrong and immediately made an appointment with the vet the next morning. It was not long after the doctor's examination we heard the news.
Pepper, a six-year-old rescue cat had a urinary blockage and his organs were shutting down. Dr. G stated he needed emergency surgery within the hour and did not know if he would make it through the operation due to the vast circumstances.
The staff was well aware of our faith in the Lord and over the next few hours we spent our time in prayer. Pepper came through the surgery and like Izzy, we visited him daily for feeding and rehabilitation over the several weeks.
In each situation we received abundant kindness, compassion, and favor from the entire staff. God caused favor in the billing, which was thousands of dollars between the two surgeries, and they were paid in full on time!
Both rescues were doing well completely recovering from their surgeries. Then on December 30th Izzy had a massive stroke, which eventually left him unable to eat, drink or walk on his own.
Although we handle cat medications on a daily basis, it had been a few years since we had done round the clock critical care and were aware of what it required. However, last time was before hubby's brain bleeds, which made this quite different.
Caring for our furry kitty (as well as the other special needs cats) took a toll on us physically and mentally mostly due to lack of sleep. I found myself crawling into bed at dawn only having to get up not long after when I heard Izzy or hubby calling for me.
We knew what happened. A tree brought down the street's power lines on one of the coldest nights of the year, and to top it off, it began to snow!
My husband and I saw sparks from the tree that pulled down the power lines and immediately called the police. Reporting the details of what happened and stating our concern about a fire, the officer on the phone told us that they did not know how long it would be until the electric company could get to the matter due to all the other outages in the area.
We prayed over the situation, the workers and all who were affected that the electric would get back on right away without delay. Within minutes, yes minutes, we saw five trucks from the electric company behind our house and chain saws buzzing to clear the tree off the road. Praise God it did not hit anything else and missed the propane tank! Favor came when it appeared to be unavailable and the electric was back on within two hours!
Last week I spent almost all my time with Izzy, carrying him everywhere and caring for his every need. Memories of when he was rescued from an Aldi's dumpster weighing under two pounds swept through my mind.
On March 18th he ate a little, drank a little and went potty. Later that afternoon at 3:09 pm my precious Izzy peacefully went to Jesus in my arms.
This was a chapter in my life that was not intended for the book; a lesson in strength, endurance, trust, faithfulness, and increasing faith. Is the vision lost? Not at all. Circumstances took me away from the vision in my heart for a time, but it is very much still there.
How easily distractions can pull us away from what we really want to be doing. Some are unavoidable while others we allow to happen simply because sticking to a plan often is too much of a hassle.
The question is, do we get back on course with the dream despite what is happening around us, or do we let the circumstances alter the original blueprint that led to the vision in the first place?
I can still picture that Sunday we visited the little country church from our previous lesson, and the conversations that took place concerning its future through the pastor's vision. Over the years, Hubby and I have wondered what became of that congregation and if it still exists.
How could they just forget the reason they even existed and the importance of outreach in sharing the gospel? There was a blueprint; there was a written plan. Unfortunately, "circumstances" they did not expect caused them to change the original vision, because they did not want to wait for the corrections to be made that would have brought the vision to pass.
Several members told us they knew the vision, but were willing to settle for second best because it got them back in their building quicker. They did not stick to the blueprint that was agreed upon but deferred to Plan B. It was good plan, but not God's best and they were okay with that.
In my best southern written accent, "Now don't y'all be beat'n down on this here church." We have all left our life vision somewhere down the road; some for a short time, others forever! How quickly we point a finger at others when they miss the message.
The Importance of A Vision Part 2:
What Happens without A Vision Plan
Looking back on that situation it reminded me of how many times I have gotten sidetracked or went “sideways” like that church who failed to follow the given blueprint for their existence. Without remaining focused on the reason(s) driving the vision, our plans become blurred and in time distorted from what God originally placed in our heart. Odds of it even happening become non-existent.
A clear vision makes it easy to stay the course, causing our dreams to become a reality. Having something tangible before our eyes keeps us focused on why we are doing something. It becomes a target we aim towards. Our convictions, ideas and action become substance and something we can grasp.
People who lose focus look back and wonder what they should have done or where they went wrong. They often forget they changed their vision direction somewhere along the journey, which made things turn out differently than planned.
Follow the God-Right Direction
Having a God ordained vision or life path gives us direction; we become encouraged and passionate about what we do. Following a vision makes us feel significant and like we matter.
There is a process and purpose in what we do, and why we do it. So, when obstacles do get in the way, remaining focused on the vision makes it easier to go back to the original plan repeatedly until it actually becomes a reality.
It is vital you remember this - the Heavenly Father knows that setbacks will happen; He already figured that into His glorious plan for your life.
God has favor in place for where you are supposed to be along the journey. If you change direction or scrap the plan, the favor that was meant for you will not be there.
Do not change, alter or deviate from the vision no matter what happens or how long it takes!
The Bible tells us that God’s people need direction from the Lord, and when we lose that vision it is easy to get lost in life’s fulfillment of purpose. It literally means that when there is nothing godly in our life vision we get blinded by worldly things, and ultimately the good plans (as in Jeremiah 29:11) God had in store for us perishes … they die, never to be established.
Some use this passage incorrectly when it comes to having a vision or plan for their life directing it toward children, but actually is for all children of God regardless of age.
“Where there is no vision (no revelation of God and His word), the people (perish and) are unrestrained; but happy and blessed (favored) is he who keeps the law (of God). A servant will not be corrected by words alone; for though he understands, he will not respond
(nor pay attention).”
(Proverbs 29:18-19 AMP)
I like how clear The Message Bible puts this:
“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed (with favor). It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.” (Proverbs 29:18-19 MSG)
So, what really happens without a vision plan?
Literally, without clear, focused vision as stated in Habakkuk 2:2-4, Proverbs 29:18 happens and prevents the favor of God from being carried out as God planned in Jeremiah 29:11.
Write out the God given vision or perish,
leaving a life without His favor!
In other words, we must have a vision plan, blueprint, or something tangible to stick to that will help us stay focused on the prize – goal for our life.
Detours Do Not Change the Vision
With this understanding, it is time to go to the Heavenly Father in prayer and reaffirm the favored vision action plan He has prepared for those that love Him.
Until next time, favored blessings!
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Helpful Resources on this Topic:
by Andy Stanley
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Note: When used the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives.
Names and or places may be changed to protect privacy.
Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Unless notes, scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provided by Bible Gateway.
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From The Importance of A Vision Series
