How a simple childhood memory taught me to trust God’s plans over my own.
A Camping Trip I’ll Never Forget
I was a Girl Scout for only a couple of years, but I did learn how to pitch a tent from my parents.
We did quite a bit of camping when I was a preteen and were able to travel all over the country on a pretty tight budget. What a blessing it was to see so many amazing places.
On one of those trips, we were heading to the Grand Canyon. For those of you who have road-tripped out west, you know there are long stretches between civilization. If you didn’t have something you needed, you learned to get creative or make do with what you had.
We arrived at our campsite in the dark after a long day of driving. We were pitching the tent and attempting to make dinner both a little tricky in the dark. The plan was simple: get to camp, set up, and have hotdogs for dinner.
Nice plan.
But one thing after another happened, and before I knew it, we were sitting in our tent eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches… on hotdog buns… right before bed.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
Things don’t always go as planned.
As a preteen, this was a good life lesson for me learning flexibility and gratitude for what I did have. Sure, a warm, sizzling hotdog in a fluffy bun around a campfire would have been amazing.
But that wasn’t what God had planned.
It was a simple reminder that my plans our plans are not always the plans.
Isaiah 55:8–9 tells us:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Christ-Centered Parenting Through Changed Plans
Now, as a mom of three with one being a preteen I pause to ask myself an important question:
How do I react when my plans aren’t going the way I hoped or expected?
Am I modeling a faith that shows I am not in control and that God’s plans are better than mine even when life looks different than I imagined?
This is the heart of Christ-centered parenting and spiritual parenting teaching preteen about faith not just through our words, but through how we respond when life doesn’t go according to plan. This foundation of faith we’re building through family faith formation will shape how our children navigate disappointment and uncertainty for years to come.
A Family Move and Mutual Faith
This summer, our family moved to an entirely different side of the city. Houston is big. It can take an hour (often longer) to get from one side to the other. With any move comes change shifting plans, adjusted dreams, stretched relationships, and unknown doors.
Even in this season of leaving and going, I was able to help my preteen on hard days. And in my tearful moments, he was able to help me.
One of the most freeing experiences is releasing control taking the focus off myself and handing it to the One who can do far more than I ever could. Sadness, confusion, and fear come and go when plans change and new seasons begin, but God remains good, faithful, and present.
Biblical Examples of Trusting God’s Plans
In Genesis and Exodus, we see stories of Jacob, Joseph, and Moses God calling them out of what was familiar and into new seasons. His provision is evident along the journey, and His purpose reaches far beyond what they could see in the moment.
When I read these stories, I’m encouraged by the thread God was intentionally weaving. The hard part is that I can’t always see that thread in my own story while I’m living it.
That’s where trust comes in.
Faith Formation for Preteens: Living Out Trust
Hebrews 11:1 reminds us:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,
the conviction of things not seen.”
This is what faith formation for preteens looks like in action not just talking about trust, but living it out before them. Whether through family devotionals, family faith habits, or simply how we respond to life’s curveballs, we’re showing our preteens what it means to follow Jesus through uncertainty.
Parenting preteens means being intentional about this discipleship journey helping them develop a biblical worldview for preteen that sees God’s hand even in the hotdog-bun moments of life. This is how we’re raising godly children who will trust God with their own plans someday.
Lord, may I have faith to trust Your plans even when mine change.
May I walk Your way and not my own.
And may I model this way of living for my preteen and family to follow.
Amen.
Looking for ways to build resilient faith in your preteen? Explore Christian parenting resources including devotionals for preteens, Bible study for tweens, and practical tools for your family discipleship journey. Because the faith lessons we teach today shape the trust they’ll carry tomorrow.