So many times I find myself scrolling through Pinterest planning my life away or living vicariously through other people's Facebook photos. However, I can tell you that your plans or dreams never turn out exactly as you expected.

As hard as it is to admit, I am selfish. I always want things to go my way. I think I know what's best for me; but that is not always the case.

This past year I have had to refocus and understand that God's plans are not always my plans.

Whenever you surrender your life to Christ, he is in the driver's seat and you are in the passenger seat. You may think you know where the road is going, but you won't know every pit stop or bump in the road along the way.

Here's a little bit of my story.

Since my sophomore year, I have always wanted to attend Harding University. However, my senior year rolled around and I didn't want to go there anymore. I wanted to stay in my hometown and attend college basically for free. I had it all planned out. I was to going to change my intended major, I was going to get a new car and I was going to get my own apartment in town.

Selfish right? Right.

But something got a hold of me. It was God. He told me I was going to attend Harding University. I was stubborn and said, "But God, I can't afford that."

He said, "Hannah, I will take care of you and your needs." And He was so right! This summer I got word that I received four private scholarships. I know God was watching over me and prevailing his plan for me. It's so hard to trust His plan for us, but it is honestly the best thing I have ever done.

I constantly prayed for God to open my eyes and heart to his plan for my life. I prayed for him to show me signs in my life that would direct me down the path I needed to take. He did all of these things.

Whenever we become willing to follow God's plan for our lives, so many good things start to happen. So many good things. Being open to his plan for my life has provided me with so much joy. Joy is something that I didn't have a lot of this past year. I am so blessed that we serve a forgiving God who can provide joy.

Sure, sometimes our plans can be God's plans, too. We just have to make sure that we are serving him in everything that we do. Make God apart of everything you do and his plans for your life will prevail. It's not always easy to understand what He is doing, but He is doing it for a reason.

Here are some encouraging words to know that God's plans are so much greater than our own.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" – Proverbs 3:5-6

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the

Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" – Jeremiah 29:11