My mama sent me a devotion from Proverbs 31 ministries the other day in hopes of reminding me how our plans don’t always work out in God’s time. The writer of the devotion talked about how she was a planner and had a strict five year plan she was following in her early adult life. I chuckled, okay, who am I kidding, I rolled my eyes and laughed hysterically when I thought about my five year plan. Especially when the writer explained how hers had changed into a somewhat fairy tale of love and marriage.
My five year plan actually did include love and marriage. My high school sweetheart (I know, so cliché) and I were both to finish college earning respectable degrees, find gainful employment, and have the wedding fairy tales are made of. Then we would, of course, live happily ever after. Imagine my surprise when my five year plan turned into infidelity and a painful divorce.
That’s when I gave up. I sort of quit planning. Not all together of course, seeing as though that Type A isn’t something you just can push aside. But, I began to just believe that no matter what the “other shoe was going to drop”. I know, it sounds cynical and jaded, but really it’s only a defense mechanism. I not doom and gloom most of the time.
Looking back and reading this devotion did put into perspective some “plans” that I have right now that just are not working out. Every corner is a dead end, every street a u-turn, but I am reminded of how the demise of my 5 year plan ended up. Two years after my divorce I met a wonderful man and we married and one year later we were blessed with our penguin. How’s that for a plan?
This is when I do just have to keep that Type A part of me pushed down and remember something greater than me is at work. I have to breathe in, breathe out, and move on (even got the tattoo to remind me).
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)
Southern Belle on Caffeine 