It was 41 years ago this fall that we loaded up my clothes and most of my possessions and made the drive from Dacula to Rome, Georgia. I was going to college.

That was a big deal back in the day. I was the first from my extended family to move away to school. My parents were so proud. I was both excited and frightened at the same time.

I remember well the first week I was in Rome. To begin with, my assigned roommate failed to show. My first two nights on campus were the loneliest times I had faced to that point. I was blessed to find a roommate who would become a lifelong friend, but those first two days were discouraging.

Freshman orientation lasted through Wednesday morning, and we were finally allowed to register for classes that afternoon. I somehow managed to be late and was unable to get any of the classes I planned to take. And then I spent double what I expected to spend in the bookstore. I have to admit that I thought about going home and looking for work in a factory.

I’m so glad I resisted that urge. Turns out that the schedule I thought I wanted would have been overwhelming. The classes I took had the breaks I would need to acclimate to college life. I had time to study, rest and eat lunch.

The truth is that God was keeping his promises to me even when I did not realize it. He had promised to lead me in the paths I needed to go, and he had promised never to leave me nor forsake me. By guiding me — at times against my will – through the process of class registration, he kept me from being overwhelmed by the first couple of weeks of school.

I want to remind you that God has promised to care for his children. He will not leave you. You are never alone. And there are times when he will change your plans in ways that protect you even from yourself.

How often do you get frustrated when things do not go your way? Remember that the Lord is in control. He is always there. Trust him, even when you can’t see him at work.