Planning

I have learned in life that that the powers that be tend to laugh at the "plans" I make, so we are doing what we can and hoping for the best.

My long-time dear friend, Christa, said this recently. She and her family have struggled this past year and are trying to get back on their feet. (She was kind enough to give me permission to quote her.☺)  I can totally relate to her feeling, mostly because I've been there too. You know, that dark and dismal place where dreams burst like bubbles? Yeah, that one. The Land of Despair. I took up residency there for years. Unfortunately, I sometimes find myself lost, without direction, and heading right back there for another visit.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11

Wait a minute! This doesn't sound like someone who would laugh at me. This sounds like someone who is looking out for me, protecting me, taking care of me. Like a parent. Like a Father.

I've learned to turn my plans over to God, my Master Planner. I told my friend, Christa, that these days I prefer what God has to say about my planning.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. ~Proverbs 19:21

May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! ~Proverbs 20:4

It is my understanding that God does still want us to make plans. How else would we take steps forward or prepare for the future? But He wants our hearts aligned with His. We need to be willing to trust Him at the helm, to let Him lead us, knowing that He sees the full picture, knows the full plan, knows the best route for us to take to get there.

Letting God lead us means LETTING GO of the control we only think we have. Just look at the mess we make of things anyway!

So, this is my prayer when I find myself heading back to the Land of Despair, and my prayer for Christa, and for anyone else who is struggling with this:

Father God, 
Thank you for the days you've given me...even the ones I just couldn't walk through...that you were right there beside me. Thank you for letting me fail...again...so that the victory will be that much sweeter. Thank you for the promise that you give to protect me...even if that means protecting me from my own plans. Help me to remember that You know what You're doing, even if I don't. Help me to find You, even in the dark Land of Despair. Thank you that I don't have to live there, but can choose instead a place that's hope-filled and happy, innocent and imaginative, of Your Creation, not mine. Help me to live life to the fullest!
Amen.

Lastly, here's my blessings from the last 3 days:

A Gift Old, New, Blue
#10 old, old books -the look, the feel, the smell
#11 my fairy godmother from my fairy godmother -such a special gift from a special lady!
#12 my heart-shaped bowl that I made with a friend 20 years ago

Something I'm reading, making, seeing
#13 To Kill A Mockingbird -I love Scout's spunk!
#14 my son's birthday cake -I can't believe my "baby" will be 12 tomorrow!
#15 the view from my sewing table come late afternoon

One thing in my bag, my fridge, my heart
#16 fingerless gloves I made from an old sweater
#17 frozen summer peaches...in January!
#18 hope for a family getaway...soon?

Blessings #10, 11, and 12