As I celebrated my friend's 21st birthday last week, I realized things don't always go as planned. We all have plans as to what will happen; but sometimes those plans don't go our way, and we have to find a way to cope with that.

We don't have the final say, as to what happens to us and what doesn't. God makes those decisions when we are born-- determining our life's pathway. He knows that the ones that go early have served their purpose or have taught us something we could all learn from.

Life goes on! It starts new everyday, and we have to go on or we will be in a daze, wasting and loosing precious time. We have to find a healthy way to cope with the unplanned and how to handle life's detours. We aren't guaranteed anything, we can only have hope and faith that everything will turn out well for us.

Although we can't control what happens to us or others, we are in control of how we react to those changes. We could either spiral out of control and question why some things happen, or we could have faith that the new plans we are given hold a greater purpose. The way we react to these difficult situations defines us. It shows yourself and others that you are capable of getting through anything, because each day you are not only coping, but surviving. You are proving to yourself that you are stronger than you think you are. God never puts us through anything he knows we can't handle. When presented with a new plan, He is placing you there to help or heal you. In no means is he doing it to punish you! Rather, He is showing you who you really are and what you can do.

As my friend's mother talked with my friend and me, she said, "The only way I get through this is with the Lord." It takes a strong person to face the world everyday with a new and ever-changing plan. She chose to embrace the hand she was given and to find the light in the darkness. She has shown she can find a positive in any negative scenario thrown at her, no matter how difficult. She is a true inspiration! She showed me that it is better to face it with God than to face it alone.

No matter where life takes us, we are along for the ride. We have to shift and change ourselves to fit the new surroundings that God has for us. Don't try to control everything, because you can't. You don't have the power to do so; but you do have the power to control yourself in any given situation.

Rest in sweet peace, Ciera Knode. You are greatly missed and will never be forgotten.