The Perfection of Plot Twists

Plot twists. You see them in movies all the time. We chat and giggle about “doing it for the plot.” We joke around calling a slight change in our day a plot twist. But what happens when you experience a real one that derails all of the plans you had made? 

Well, as I sit here and write this post, I am supposed to be on a flight to Ghana. I’m supposed to be going there for the last portion of my trip to finish up my research. I am supposed to be spending time in the place that stole my heart years ago. But I am not doing any of that.

When I left the United States in June, all I wanted was to be able to control every aspect of my life. I wanted to know the plan, what I needed to do to prep for that plan, and how exactly I would execute that plan. Well, that control all went out the window as soon as I landed in India. I prayed a long time ago for God to help me release my need to control every aspect of my life, and rather than just get rid of that desire, He gave me opportunity upon opportunity to be ok with not being in control. The past few weeks have been no different. 

I received notice that my visa to Ghana got delayed and it did not arrive on time to me in the Dominican Republic in order to take off. Additionally, due to wait times with the Ghanian government, the research clearance that I applied for over the summer has still yet to be approved. My initial reaction to the news was disappointment, frustration, and then an immediate desire to take control. “I can make it work,” I thought to myself. I did everything in my power to try and make it happen. I made calls, I wrote emails, I asked for guidance, but with each of these attempts, all found was a closed door. I so desperately wanted to make Ghana happen, but then I remembered that prayer. 

“Why am I trying to control this again?” I thought to myself. As I sat and prayed, I realized the incredible community I have built here in the Dominican Republic. There are people who love me, parents and children who need this research to be done, and doctors who are willing to pave a way to get me where I need to be. So if the doors to Ghana are all closing, but more just keep opening here in the DR, why would I walk away just to try and follow a plan? 

These things happen for a reason. Plot twists come into life when you least expect it, and sometimes you have absolutely zero control. You won’t always be able to see the reason why it happened, but later on down the road, you will look back and say, “oh now it all makes sense.” I have already had moments like that here.

So I will be staying here in my sweet new home of the Dominican Republic until the end of January, and I could not be more thrilled. I truly feel there is more for me here and I can’t wait to see what that is. I will get to spend the holidays with people who have become family, and I will get to strengthen a research project that I now know is way more important than I thought. 

I hope my experience might be an encouragement to you, especially if you are feeling like all doors around you are closing right now. God may have a different path for you that is way brighter and more beautiful than you could ever imagine, but in order to experience it, you have to let go of control. And on the other side, you will find peace. 

Stay tuned for some more Dominican adventures and some fun holiday content! Love all of you always!

Margeaux