Tuesday, July 28, 2009

the map.


I'm a planner.

You probably could have guessed that from just reading this blog.

I like to know what's coming.

Or, more accurately:

I like to plan what's coming.

I like to be in charge.

So on Sunday, when our class began to talk about our life's plans and whether or not God had changed them, I had to laugh.

Change them?

I think He started from scratch.

We talked about how some of life's greatest blessings come out of sadness.

Hurt.

Disappointment.

Frustrations.

No-good-really-bad days.

I couldn't agree more.

And as I look over my life's original plan

I realize that God's is better.

Even though I don't always understand it

Even though I'm not where I thought I'd be

Even though it sometimes hurts

Father knows best.

Because if my life had gone according to my plan,

I would have gone to Nashville, Tennessee for school.

Interned at Southern Living.

Secured a job as a magazine writer in the big city of my dreams.

Earned a master's degree.

Remained unmarried until at least 25.

Traveled the world.

And lived happily ever after.

Instead, I went to school in Montgomery, Alabama.

Met my best friend.

Interned at Coastal Living.

Moved back home.

Found a satisfactory job in communications.

Married my best friend.

And remained in my hometown. A place I didn't think I'd come back to for a while.

All because:

I didn't get the ACT score I wanted.

Massive layoffs occurred right as my internship was ending. (In other words, journalism died, and with it, all job opportunities.)

Jordan moved to Macon for law school.

I couldn't find a job I loved.

So here I am.

Right where God wants me to be.

I serve a God who honors my dreams

My ambitions

My goals

But I also serve a God who knows significantly more than I do

So here I am.

Finding my place on a new map.

A map He created for me.

From scratch.


*Food for thought: what does your life's map look like? Was it what you originally planned? How did God change your plans for the better?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

And we are blessed because you are here! mom XXOO

Jessica said...

i love this.

Melissa said...

your mom took what I was going to say! we are so very blessed to have you and Jordan and your awesome, God-given talents! Love you!

BPremo said...

Oh my gosh. This is all exactly how I've been feeling the past year. Struggle and grappling with these same things. (Also, our dreams are eerily similar!)

thanks for posting this because sometimes it makes me feel great to know someone else feels exactly the same as I do. it's comforting.

E said...

I was just thinking this morning, "I'm happy, and nothing has gone according to my plans."

Beautiful post.