The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. – Proverbs 16:9
Do you ever have those mornings when you wake up with plans, exciting plans that you can’t wait to fulfill? Maybe you’ve had those plans since before that morning, even! The anticipation has you a little giddy, and you’re just so looking forward to whatever activity you think is coming on that day.
I had a morning like this recently… not big plans, not even leaving the house, but they had me excited to open my eyes and get going that morning! I had planned to paint that day. I was really looking forward to it and had quite a few designs in mind, some scriptures all lined up. I got myself out of bed, and turned to face the window. And that’s when it happened, that’s when my bubble was burst. It was raining outside. I sit outside on my screened porch when I paint. Uh-oh, this meant that the watercolor paints wouldn’t dry fast enough for me to be able to paint today. Even from such a simple thing, I felt crushed.
As I continued to get ready for my day, I just couldn’t accept that my plans couldn’t come true. As I was showering, my mind was furiously working on an alternate plan that would allow me to be able to paint after all. So many ideas going through my mind, as I quickly rejected each one as “not a fix.” Suddenly I had a brilliant idea. (stay with me here) I would plug in the hair dryer and dry the paint that way. As I was wondering if the heat would damage my colors, I started to laugh, right out loud… was I really considering blow drying my bookmarks so that I could go through with my plans for that day?! I was!
That really caused me to pause. I think we do this so often in our lives. Especially in our chronic illnesses, so many days feel like a “let down” because whatever grand plans we had cooked up have had to be put off, or canceled altogether thanks to a flare or a new symptom or just sheer exhaustion. We are so intent on what plans sound good to us that we forget to ask God what plans He has for us that day! And that’s what I did immediately when I realized what I was doing, and far into the ridiculous I had ventured. I prayed. I asked God to show me His better way for my day that day. And do you know what? He did. And it was beautiful, and SO much better than me on the porch, in the rain, with some paint and a blow dryer. 😉
Heavenly Father, I delight in Your plans! Help me as I try, with all things, to focus less on ME and more on YOU. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Dear Shelly
So nice to find you linking at Laura’s! Yes, dear friend, our Lord seems to have a whole different plan for my life with my Fm/CFS, than what I had in mind. But in retrospect I can see how He has worked only good out of my illness. Like today I could not do much, but I could still pray for so many people that need prayer and I was so blessed by my son asking for special prayer for he was having difficulty studying for his exams. He is a first year mechanical engineering student. When we spoke to him tonight he was well away!! Thank you, Pappa!!
Blessings XX
Mia
Mia recently posted…Lady Wisdom
Good to see you again, as well, Mia! I am adding your son to my prayer list! God is just amazing in His attentiveness, isn’t He? Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Loved this post especially the song. I had never heard it before. It is wonderful! Thank you for sharing it!
Joanne Viola recently posted…Golfers, A Putt & The Spirit
So nice to meet you, Joanne! I’m now following your blog, love the inspiration! Glad you enjoyed the song…. Jamie Grace has some really great music out there! Blessings, Shelly <3
Welcome to “Tell Me a Story” and thank you for sharing your story about best laid plans. Yes, our plans can change in an instant and if we can be flexible and ready to change with the plans, every thing will work out together for good !! What a clever idea to use your hair dryer and be able to paint. – – just don’t scortch the art work.
Hazel Moon recently posted…Pound Hound
Love the Linkup you provided, thanks for the opportunity to get to know Sisters like you! So glad you enjoyed my post! Blessings, Shelly <3