I consider myself to be a planner. I have all kinds of plans running through my
head at any given time; long term plans, short term plans, plans for today,
plans for what is happening right this very moment, and even back up
plans. My husband and I want to be
spontaneous and sometimes we appear to be so but in reality it takes a lot of
planning. What happens when things don’t
go according to plan? Let’s be real
here, we get cranky. Ask any of our kids
and they will tell you all the gory details.
Kids don’t lie when they get to
rat out their parents. We actually get
pretty cranky when things don’t go the way we expect them to. And I’m only talking about everyday
plans. When something big changes, watch
out!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares
the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and
a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God’s plans are always perfect. Yet, we tend to jump in and tell God how it’s
all going to work out. God changed my
perfectly laid plans exactly three years and nine months ago. You see, we found out we were expecting a new
baby that was most definitely not in our plans. To be completely honest, this
change in plans was difficult for us to wrap our heads around. We were what God might call
“stiff-necked.” And to drive the lesson
home, every step of this new path God had given us was contrary to every plan
we tried to make. Now that I see the
whole picture, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere but where we are in our lives
right now. I am so thankful for a God
who doesn’t give up when I am stubborn and strong willed. We learned so many great lessons during that
season of change. Today we are fully
enjoying all of the many blessings that came from that season.
“Trust in the Lord
with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
The biggest lesson I have learned is that I can be a planner
and still have my focus on Christ. When
I spend regular time in the Word and in prayer, I feel closer to God; it is
easier to discern His will in my life.
By trusting God to do what He is so good at, I am blessed. I still am not perfect (imagine that) and I
still try to plan everything but when things don’t go as planned, I am reminded
to look for His many blessings.
Another blessing to come from my season of change is that my
story may encourage someone else. Are
you struggling with plans that are not going your way? How have you been able to put God in control
of your plans? Share your story in the
comments below to encourage someone or to be encouraged.
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