When Porcupines Show Up and God Redeems Your Ruined plans anyway
If your day derails before breakfast, take heart—God redeems ruined plans, even the prickly ones.
Recently, we mustered the courage to launch yet another homeschool year. Some of us were dreading it like the dog at bath time, some of us were not quite prepared, read: me, and one of my children has been excited to start since June.
So, on our “first official day of school” and I say official because let’s be honest—we moms can label anything as school. Making lunch? Home economics. Yard work? P.E. Breaking up sibling squabbles? Conflict resolution.
The Morning Frenzy
The day started early, partly because we’d promised a neighbor we’d look after their animals while they were away, and partly because I still had last-minute prep to do: review instructions for some of the new curriculum, gather supplies, and—you know—pretend I had it all together.
I lumbered to the kitchen, eyes half-closed, to brew the first of many cups of coffee. I gave my husband a “good morning”, he’d already been up for an hour, naturally, and I greeted my dog, Lakota. Although “Lakota” is her official name, she mostly goes by Shmookie, Puppy, or “Get off the couch!”
Lakota is part Husky, which means she sheds like a snowstorm every summer. I often fear she’ll shed herself bald and end up resembling a giant, awkward Chinese Crested. Because of this “season,” she mostly lives outside in the warm months. So, like usual, we’d left her out overnight.
I stepped outside, coffee in hand, and gave her the usual morning snuggle—only this snuggle felt… prickly. Not soft, fluffy dog prickly. Porcupine prickly.
Yep. Sometime during the night, my brave-yet-not-so-bright husky had taken on a porcupine and lost. Badly.
Crisis Schooling 101
My husband grabbed pliers, I grabbed peanut butter, because what else do you arm yourself with in battle, and together we attempted an emergency quill-removal session. It was less “gentle healing” and more “wrestling a wild beast.” We managed a few, but the situation quickly went downhill. Lakota needed the vet.
Meanwhile, the kids were circling the scene like reporters:
“Are we still doing school today?”
“What about math?”
“Mom, can I count this as science credit?”
Why yes, yes you can.
So our first day of school was promptly renamed Biology and Economics 101. We studied canine anatomy, the importance of weight in medical treatment, and—my personal favorite—how a family of six budgets for an unexpected emergency vet bill.
And honestly? That was more real-life education than anything in their textbooks.
Supper Fail & the Prickly Truth
By the time Lakota was patched up, I was exhausted but slightly proud of myself. Because despite the chaos, I had thought ahead—I had tossed a chicken in the slow cooker that morning. Supper was handled!
Except… it wasn’t.
That glorious golden chicken looked perfect on the outside. But when I carved into it—friends, this chicken had a tumor. Not exactly the comforting family meal I had envisioned. That was one biology lesson I hadn’t planned for. Needless to say, the motto of the evening became: When in doubt, throw it out.
The Porcupines in Our Lives When Plans Fall Apart
At the end of the day, I sat there, slightly frazzled, and thought about how one porcupine had completely derailed my carefully laid-out plans.
But then the Lord nudged my heart: isn’t life full of porcupines? Little prickly interruptions that barge in, sting us, and leave us limping? Sometimes it’s circumstances. Sometimes it’s people. And sometimes… I’m the porcupine in someone else’s day.
It was humbling to consider.
Devotional Takeaway: God Redeems Ruined Plans
So here’s what I took from our disastrous-yet-hilarious first day of school: God’s curriculum is always better than mine. It rarely looks like I planned, but it always teaches something worth learning. Whether it’s patience, flexibility, or the art of plucking quills out of a stubborn husky, He weaves wisdom into the interruptions.
God’s curriculum is always better than mine
And maybe, just maybe, when the porcupines come, instead of despairing at my ruined schedule, I can pause, laugh a little, and remember: God works through the prickly parts too.
Life will always hand us porcupines—unexpected setbacks, prickly people, or circumstances that poke holes in our plans. But God reminds us that even these interruptions are under His control.
Key takeaways:
- God weaves wisdom into interruptions.
- Real-life learning counts (budgeting, biology, patience).
- When plans fall apart, look for grace, not perfection.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
So the next time a porcupine barges into your day, take heart—God might just be teaching a lesson no textbook could ever cover.
And when you need a quick dinner-win to redeem a failed supper consider checking out this amazing recipe:
Find it here
https://gatheringgrace.ca/shawarma-pizza-the-lettuce-topped-wonder-youll-actually-crave/