I have seen countless movies where the female character has some kind of life plan. When she is going to get married, when she will move up in her career, or when she will have kids. There is a scene in the TV show Friends, where Rachel Green is talking about when she wants to have kids then calculates backwards that she would need to get engaged within the next 3 months in order for her plan to work out. Life rarely goes as planned. If you’re a planner like me, you don’t enjoy when life doesn’t work out as planned.
Going into college, I had quite the plan of what my life would look like. I wanted to graduate in 4 years and be married shortly after. That part of my plan did work out, so I figured I could continue to call the shots. I quickly completed my masters degree and had a plan of when I would be promoted out of the classroom to an administrator job. This did not go as I had planned. I had a plan of when we would have kids and how I would birth them into the world. This didn’t go as planned either.
It took me several years of my plans not working out to figure out that I am not in control. While I thought my plans were good, they weren’t God’s plans. Letting go of control is hard. Especially for this planner.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9
For me, the first thing I needed to work on was being thankful in all circumstances in order to bloom where I was planted. Things weren’t going according to my plans, but there was still plenty to be thankful for. I started a gratitude journal and would begin each day with writing down 5 things I was thankful for. I would also write down the desires of my heart, because God places things on our hearts as well.
Next, I started a consistent quiet time and prayer time. I could only let go of control once I trusted Him and believed, “all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. I needed to discover God’s purpose for my life and seek it daily. This has led me on a path I would have never planned myself. Mostly because it is hard, but it has also brought great joy.
Blooming where you are planted sounds cliche at times, but more than that it can be difficult. It can be easy to sit and pout when things don’t go my way. I have learned to allow myself time to be disappointed, because I’m human. However, I don’t allow myself to stay there. The best way for me to move from a place of disappointment is to talk to a friend. Trying to move past the hurt alone is much harder. Saying the disappointing things out loud to someone lifts a weight off my shoulders. Reaching out for words of truth when I don’t feel like doing the work has been the most helpful.
Look for the good in each day, whether it’s big or small. Sometimes it’s my children making me laugh uncontrollably. Dinner turning out better than expected. A text from a friend asking to get coffee. Something good happening for someone else. A sunny day where the wind isn’t blowing uncontrollably.
“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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-12
We want to thank Chelsea Criswell for sharing this post.