Right Where I Was Supposed to Be

Lauren Fletcher reflects on a season of unexpected challenges—unmet career goals, personal setbacks, and the responsibility of caring for her mother and grandmother. Drawing from Romans 8:28, this devotional reminds believers that God works all things together for good, even when life seems off-track, showing that His timing and purposes are perfect.

Highlights

• Life may not align with our personal plans, but God’s purposes are always at work.

• Unexpected seasons can provide opportunities to serve, care, and grow spiritually.

• Trusting God’s timing allows us to see His provision even in difficult circumstances.

• Psalm 139:16 reassures us that every moment of our lives is already known and held by God.

• What may feel like disappointment can be part of a larger, “brutiful” (brutal yet beautiful) plan.

Join the Conversation

How have you experienced God’s timing in unexpected ways? Share your story and encourage others to trust His purposes. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #TrustHisTiming #FaithInAction #Romans828 to join the conversation.

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Full Transcript Below:

Right Where I Was Supposed to Be

By Lauren Fletcher

Bible Reading:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Romans 8:28

It was not the season I had always dreamt about. A quiet room, tears streaming down my face, no job or husband — this was not my ideal year.

I had been seeing a counselor for several months, and she was encouraging me to apply for jobs. I would get excited, think about where I’d like to apply, and then something would get me off track. Whether emotions, circumstances, or big life events changed things, I was not doing what I was “supposed to” be doing. I was not living the independent adult life that we both thought I should be living. 

There is a verse in Proverbs that I have thought about recently: “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9). Though I had been making plans for the future, hoping that I would have a job and get back “on track,” when things seemed to fall through, I realized God had other—perfect—plans.

That year, my mother broke her arm. I cared for her and helped her through the weeks she was unable to care for herself physically. It was a growing time in our relationship dynamic, and she was also able to be more present, as I’d just gotten divorced and needed the emotional support.

Months later, my grandmother became ill. With late nights in the ER, days of waiting in hospital rooms for a physician’s report, eating cafeteria food on the daily—it finally hit me. If I’d had a job, I would not have been able to be with her like this. I would not be able to stay in her room all day and help her.

As I considered these things, I knew God had called me to this, that this was His will, to take care of my grandmother, my family. I had this newfound understanding that God had put me in the right place at the right time—I was right where I was supposed to be all along. 

Those days turned into months, and hospital rooms turned into hospice care. With long hours of sitting and doing nothing but being there, I remember being restless. Things still were not as expected, and I was getting frustrated by the amount of money I was spending on eating out. A friend told me I would not regret the time I spent with my grandmother. It was hard to see then, but on the othe