When God Redirects What You Thought Was the Plan

The other day, I found myself scrolling through old files on my computer.

Unfinished projects.
Ideas that never quite came together.
Products I once felt sure about… but quietly let go of.

At first, it felt like a walk through things that didn’t work out. But the longer I sat with it, the clearer something became.

Those files weren’t evidence of failure.
They were evidence of God’s direction.

When God presses pause

I’m a crafter at heart. Always have been.

Over the years, Rae & Joy has touched a lot of different things — bags, baby items, pillows, and more. I enjoy creating, experimenting, and trying new ideas. But at some point, God gently pressed pause.

Not in a loud or dramatic way.
More like a quiet nudge that said, “This isn’t it.”

It wasn’t rejection.
It was redirection.

Narrowing doesn’t mean losing your calling

When God began narrowing my focus, I didn’t lose my creativity — I found clarity.

Journals and planners became the center. And once that focus was clear, everything else began to make sense. Each additional product wasn’t random anymore; it had purpose. It fit the heart of Rae & Joy instead of competing with it.

That shift taught me something important:

God doesn’t remove our gifts when He redirects us.
He refines them.

From trying everything to choosing intentionally

There was a season where I felt like I needed to try everything to see what worked. But what God showed me instead was the value of being intentional.

Instead of offering more, He taught me to offer better.
Instead of chasing every idea, He taught me to steward the right ones.

Now, every product Rae & Joy carries is chosen carefully — not just because it’s pretty or creative, but because it aligns with the purpose He’s given this business: to encourage, to point people back to Him, and to support their faith journey in meaningful ways.

A reminder for anyone feeling “stuck”

Looking back at those unfinished ideas didn’t make me sad.

It made me grateful.

Grateful for a God who redirects instead of abandons.
Grateful for clarity that came through obedience.
Grateful that every “no” was actually protecting a bigger “yes.”

If you’re in a season where something isn’t working — even something you once felt called to — it doesn’t mean you missed God. It may mean He’s refining your path.

Sometimes the most loving thing God does is narrow our focus so we can walk forward with confidence.

And sometimes, what looks like rejection is really just Him saying, “I have something better.”

 

If you’re new here, you can read more about the heart behind this space in my welcome post.