Devotionals for the Heart: When God saved me from making a mistake

When God Saved Me from Making a Mistake
A devotional by Terry Overton

“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 (ESV)

Before sunrise, my little dog Bella and I slipped out for an early walk. We wanted to beat the heat and explore more of our new neighborhood.

The world was beginning to stir—the squirrels chattered in the trees, and the chirps of morning birds drifted quietly into the morning air. A cool breeze made it feel like we could go a little farther today. We took our usual path at a brisk pace, but something nudged me to turn down a street I hadn’t explored since the move. Why not? I thought. The wind picked up, chiming a neighbor’s porch bells, and the turn on the road felt like an invitation to adventure.

Though we’d lived here only a few months, the street names were familiar from all the house-hunting listings I’d studied before our move. But the specific sequence of streets between our house and the main road remained a mystery. Curious, I kept going. One street, then another. My fitness tracker encouraged me to push for another mile. Hills seemed to rise beneath my steps, then downhill slopes, but I kept wondering: Would the next street be the one that finally loops back?

Then I saw the sign: No Exit. The next one? Dead End. And finally, just when I was ready to turn back, I saw a street name I recognized—Incline. I looked down that street and smiled. It was suitably named. Breathing heavily, I climbed the hill and remembered why that name stuck in my mind: Months earlier, my husband and I wanted to buy a house on this street, but someone beat us to it. I remembered how disappointed we were to read “Contract Pending.” The interior of the house, the floorplan, the type of flooring, and from what we could see online, the backyard panoramic view, all looked amazing.

But as I passed that house we did not buy, the sun crested over the hill and lit up the view. And just like that, I saw what we hadn’t seen in the online images: power lines cutting across the horizon, rooftops and buildings crowding the distance, and the lake below blocked by newer homes. The view I’d imagined as peaceful was in reality, obstructed and noisy. In that quiet, golden moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. God had protected us from a decision we might have regretted.

The view from my yard has always mattered to me, not for the pride of having a nice yard but for the peace it brings. I’ve lived near ponds, lagunas, and resacas—each one a sacred space where I’ve met with God in the early hours. I would pray, read Scripture, and write in these spaces. It’s not just about a pretty yard. It’s about a place where my soul can breathe. It’s a place where I sit with Him, who holds me in His hands, walks with me, walks beside me, and gives me peace.

We didn’t get that house on Incline Street. Instead, we found the one meant for us—an older home with character, nestled between woods, a creek, and a quiet cove that opens to the lake. It’s peaceful. Private. Perfect.

How many times has God saved me from my own missteps? How many times did I think I knew the best route, the best decision, the best next step to take? Too many to count. I’ve made plenty of choices attempting to control what was in His hands, trying to force my own path. However, the walk this morning reminded me: God is always at work behind the scenes. He doesn’t just provide what we want—He gives us what we need, even when we don’t see it yet.

And sometimes, all it takes to see that He provides what we need is to continue to walk one more mile with Him.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

You have provided many blessings and at times I do not realize You are busy working in the quiet. Help me to remember to trust You in all things. You know the best path for my life. Thank You for always holding my hand and being by my side in all circumstances. I pray this in the name of Your Holy Son (Jesus Christ). Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Know the Plans (Audrey’s song)” by Damaris Carbaugh. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. 

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.

Terry lives in Texas and enjoys reading, taking pictures for devotional posts on social media, visiting with her family, playing golf, and writing.

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Connect with Terry:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terry.overton.71653
Author Website: https://www.authorterryoverton.com/
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/overtont