I am a planner –
Clothes are laid out the night before for work
Lunch items are pre-packed and waiting in the fridge
Week-at-a-glance schedule is reviewed and managed to fit into my schedule
Next week’s lesson plans for school are completed by Thursday of each week
Grocery shopping is checked off my list each Saturday
My list is endless, my plans are precise and my life is in order!
Then life happens! A sudden turn comes out of nowhere and my car – my life – barely survives the shifting road. I brake suddenly to stop the fall into uncertainty.
Have you ever felt this way? Has your road suddenly turned in a direction you were not ready for?
I am a planner –
Life should fit into my long list so I can check it off daily
Life should be composed of steps that are always moving forward
Life should be easy
My clear, concise life is anything but what I described above!
Life changes directions constantly and my neat, orderly lists become obsolete.
For me life changed with one phone call New Year’s Day – my life became unfamiliar, daunting and crisis mode kicked in
Here was my new path:
EMTs
Hospital emergency room
5 days in the hospital
A transition from the hospital to skilled nursing
Another five days of life in skilled nursing and my mom was called home. Jesus welcomed my mom and my heart shattered- everything I knew, I loved, I counted on was spinning out of control. My new normal stopped my planned out days dead in their tracks.
A strong reminder of who is in charge of my list – my life – was written in bold letters for me to see
The reminder that was flashing before me is that Jesus is the Planner! The beauty of life is that God is the plan. Our lists are made to provide the illusion that life can be controlled and managed as we see fit. Reality interferes and we soon learn that our life is God’s life. One of my life verses reflects this truth beautifully.
11 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
I will always be a planner but my plans will be directed by God even when I try desperately to make them and mold them as my own.
I am a planner!
I plan to spend time with God each morning to center my life on Him and His truths.
I will turn to God in prayer to seek help and to worship Him for the goodness of every twist and turn that comes my way.
I plan to be still and know that God is with me for every twist, turn, bump and uncertainty.
I am a planner with a new plan! May God’s plans infuse us with strength for every step of our journey. May our plans default to His plans and may we be okay with this each day.
I will move forward in my new normal and God will see me through. He has great plans for you and me.
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Prayers for guidance and strength in my new normal would be greatly appreciated. Be blessed! Love like there’s no tomorrow and delight in every minute!
Mary
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Oh, Mary! I’m so sorry! I didn’t know! Although it’s 48 years later for me, I still miss my Mom terribly and I feel your pain during this difficult time. I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you so much! Prayers and support are infusing my soul and helping me through this difficult time.
Ah, sweet Mary. I’m praying for you in this painful, and it sounds like, unexpected loss. I could really relate to your words today. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the time that my recent diagnosis is taking up in my life and I haven’t even hit the wall of fatigue that they tell me is just around the corner! But I’m deciding to only do what I can do–which is hard for “us” planners! 🙂 I like to have everything scratched off my list too, but some days it’s just enough to make time with Him. Then the day has been successful! May you feel His comfort and love lifting you up through this “unfamiliar journey.” (Isaiah 42:16)
Thank you friend for the strength you send my way through your words and real experiences. I hope we both continue to learn from each other.
Prayers are coming for you and your family. God bless.
Thank you Karen! God’s peace and strength are coming through your prayers. We so appreciate it!