Switching Majors: Plan B
This is one of my favorite coffee mugs.
You see,
Plan A is usually my plan. It’s my great
idea, my brilliant scene, my timing, my To Do list, my my my.
Plan B is
God’s plan.
At least it
should be. Sometimes Plan B is mostly mine
and a little His. Sometimes Plan B
morphs into Plans C,D,E,F…
However,
as I continue to fall more in love with Jesus, as I consciously and purposefully
choose to trust His love and His way and His word, I come to Plan B much
sooner. My plan may be Awesome, but His
is Better. Even Best. Okay, His plan is Bester. Always.
He always
has the better ideas (mine seem to work out...okay...). He always has everything under control (I
very rarely have anything under control).
He always works everything out for my good (I wish I could do that). He always does all of these things in perfect
timing (I’m usually way too early.).
It’s amazing
how much less stressful my life is when I go with God’s plan. You see, if it’s HIS plan, it’s up to HIM to
make it happen. Now, I do my part for
sure, but the details, the success, the blessing, the protection, the timing, the
whatever, are totally up to Him.
After all,
He is the one who “is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at
work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Knowing all
of this makes it easier to go with Plan B from the start.
Care to join
me? I’ll bring coffee, but you’ll have
to bring your own mug.
Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
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Power switch on
This week we are talking about "switching majors". My switch was more like a light switch that you turn on.
This fall, I switched on POWER.
God's word says I have a spirit of power - love- and self control. But for so long I've had that switch turned off. See, I know that I am a powerful person - confident, valuable, capable of great love. I feel it deep inside somewhere like a little furnace. But I have struggled for so long to believe it and walk in this truth. I wear timidity like a security blanket. I always thought it looked like humility - or others thought it suited me, like it went with my eyes or something. And sometimes, honestly, when people speak things over you for so long, you just believe that's the way it is.
God's word says I have a spirit of power - love- and self control. But for so long I've had that switch turned off. See, I know that I am a powerful person - confident, valuable, capable of great love. I feel it deep inside somewhere like a little furnace. But I have struggled for so long to believe it and walk in this truth. I wear timidity like a security blanket. I always thought it looked like humility - or others thought it suited me, like it went with my eyes or something. And sometimes, honestly, when people speak things over you for so long, you just believe that's the way it is.
I don't know if you can relate, but it feels I've had a bad mix tape cycling in the back of my mind for many years. It's top hits include, "Nobody wants to listen to you", "Be quiet, be humble", "You are what they say you are", "I see you, leader, let me get out of your way". I was never quite sure how to turn it off, so I admit. Sometimes I danced to it.
But this fall, by God's grace, He showed me the POWER switch. Turning the switch on isn't rocket science - it really comes down to focusing on God's truth- about me. What does the Bible say about me? What do I know to be true about me? Turning off the background track takes practice. I'm still working on that one. But I'm getting better. When situations arise that used to overwhelm me causing me to shrink back, I think again of the above verse - I have a spirit of power. I remember that God has equipped me for every good work He puts before me. And most of all I remember - He is with me - always.
We are called to be powerful people. We are called to be leaders (aka servants) in our realms of influence. God is able to do amazing things in us and through us.
You are powerful.
It's time to start happening.
Is your switch on?
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
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Proofreading
I can’t remember a time in
recent years when one spiritual-transformation topic has hung so completely in
my line of view. Selfishness.
I know I have mentioned it
several times in the last few weeks, but honestly…it is STILL begging to be my
main area of focus.
And with that, has come a
shift in the way I approach my prayer time with God each night. Therein lies my
switch in “majors”.
I used to major in
petitions.
Can you please fix…
Can you please provide…
Now, I major in
proofreading.
Seriously.
When I lay down at night, in
the time that I used to spend asking God for so many things, I now feel God
taking my hand and walking me through a review of my day.
He is talking. He is
teaching. He is challenging me to look for evidence of selfishness.
And daggone it! We are
finding it. Together.
Grab the red pen.
Circle that conversation…the
one in which you could have listened more and talked less.
Little side note for that
time you didn’t put your phone down.
Note that place you could
have added in more undivided attention to your kiddos.
Proofreading.
Proofreading builds stronger
rough drafts.
Increasingly stronger rough
drafts yield grander final copies.
Honestly, I’m glad I
switched majors.
I
think this one is going to open up more opportunities for me.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
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Declaring (and Re-declaring) My Major
Fast forward to the day I realized how much work I'd have to do to complete that major. Then, throw in more days of doubts and questions about whether I'd made the right decision. The logical next step? Just switch majors. First, to Psychology, then to a double major in Psychology and Sociology, then to another school and a major in Sociology with a minor in Cultural Anthropology, only to graduate and return to school a few years later for a Master's Degree in....
Elementary Education.
Sometimes, we go 'round and 'round a bit before we make it to where we're supposed to be. Actually, let me rephrase that--sometimes we start out in the right direction, get distracted, THEN go 'round and 'round a bit before we make it to where we're supposed to be. Thank the Lord for His grace and His ability to hang in there with us while we learn some things the hard way. He'll guide us to where we need to be, if we're willing to listen (even if it takes us a little while to get it right).
"...he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, 'This is the way you should go,' whether to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:20-21 NLT
Anitra Elmore is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Monday, August 26, 2013
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New School Year, New Major
Off goes my middle school to 7th grade!!!!
Off goes my 3rd grade son to . . . my office.
This fall, I'm embarking on a journey that I NEVER thought I would take.
I have switched majors from SAHM, while the kids are in school all day, to SAHM and teacher. At home. (So, SAHT?)
This is new season beyond the typical Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. I've experienced THOSE seasons. This one? I have no idea what awaits me. As in . . . no history to recall. No memories for comfort. No past course to elicit confidence.
I have a map. That is all.
I don't know what I'll encounter as I follow the road. I don't know when we'll need to hit a rest stop. I have no idea what obstacles may impede our direction.
For the first time in a while, I am completely blind heading in.
Interesting. Remember Abraham?
Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
To a land I WILL SHOW YOU. Not, to a land I HAVE shown you. (Shoot, that man didn't even have a map. I should be grateful!)
And thus, my new semester begins.
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
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Switching Majors
This week, your friends here at DFF will be continuing our back to school theme and chatting about switching majors. We've all had seasons of change, seasons when "where we are" turns into "where we've been" and we'll share some of that with you and hopefully encourage you with our journeys.
So, stop by (or check your email) to discover some of the ways we've been led to switch priorities while still managing (or learning) to honor God in the process. As usual, we'd also love to hear your stories and what you're learning too. How have you had to switch majors in your life recently? Leave a comment and let us know!!
Anitra Elmore is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
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So, stop by (or check your email) to discover some of the ways we've been led to switch priorities while still managing (or learning) to honor God in the process. As usual, we'd also love to hear your stories and what you're learning too. How have you had to switch majors in your life recently? Leave a comment and let us know!!
Anitra Elmore is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
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Sunday, August 25, 2013
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