Plans for a Future April 2007

I'm not a particularly 'religious' person-- I won't lie my faith has been greatly shaken over the past few years but at this point in my life I wasn't as cynical (believe it or not!) 

This one I'm especially proud of- it got me through a really low period in my life, after the break up of what I thought was supposed to be the love of my life-- obviously things worked out so much better-- for one short year later-- I met THE love of my life... Monkey!!!

Plans for a future… God Style…

I don’t know about you but I’m always planning- a week ahead, this summer’s road trip, the future life with the man I thought was to be my husband—well what do ya know? God had other plans for me… I really, really hate it when He throws a wrench in my plans… of course I KNOW He’s getting a BIG kick out of it and laughing… Kind of think THIS is how it would go… (yeah MY God has a sense of humor…)

“SO… Shonda—you think your plans are good for you, do you?? You don’t think what I have planned for you will be so much better?? OK, you go on and plan that trip to Myrtle Beach- remember last time you went?? The burns hurt, didn’t they???”

“Yes, Lord… I remember the last trip to the beach, how could I forget?”

“So, you’re still going to look into the future and make those plans anyway, aren’t you?? What if I tell you- things aren’t what you think they are??”

“Ummm- ok God, what do you mean by THAT??”

“No, you need to learn (please ME- let her learn one of these days) on your own… I’m just going to watch and cry for you when your heart is broken yet again… just remember, I warned you…”

“Uh yeah sure… my heart’s not going to be broken Lord, you sent this man for me, I KNOW you did- and we’re going to have a wonderful life together- this is just the first of many family vacations… isn’t it??”

“What are you asking ME for?? You’ve got it all planned out- well except the exact date—but hey- you’ll have that nailed down in an hour or so… my girl you do love to make plans…”

“Of course I do Father- isn’t that good?? To have things planned out??”

“Well my beautiful daughter… has it ever worked out for you before when you planned out on your own… and didn’t listen to your Father??”

“Oh, well- no.  It hasn’t ever worked out when I tried to take control… But this time it’s different… I JUST KNOW IT!!!”

“Shony, I’m the ONLY one who KNOWS how it will turn out- just slow it down my child and breathe… Please don’t make me hit you in the head, AGAIN—cause it’s not worked all the times I’ve done it in the past- you’re just going to get a headache- AGAIN… “

“So let me get this straight God, you want me to step back and let YOU take lead??? Ummm but you know I’m a control freak- have to feel in control or I freak out…”

“Yes, I know- I made you, DUH!! But if you turn that control over to me, I promise you’ll see this is for your own good”… “I PROMISE—and I (unlike men) keep MY promises to my loved ones”

“Well, ok… but can I still pla….”

“NO!!! Just let me have the calendar and the planning software, let ME take over sweetheart…”

“But God… what about…”

“What about it?? Are you happy RIGHT NOW?? Did your last plans work out?”

“No, not at all…”

“That’s because you didn’t REALLY consult me first- those quick little prayers aren’t going to cut it kid…”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now, I know your heart is breaking because things haven’t gone your way and ‘he’ left you- but my princess- think about it, would he have done that if it had been my plan for you to be together??? Come on Sunshine… be honest with yourself (Cause I can hear what your heart and mind are saying, don’t forget who you’re chatting with here!)”

“I get it… I just thought…”

“I know, believe me- I know… now, come on- listen to me when I tell you -- I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed… I'll turn things around for you.”

“Ok Abba, Here’s the planner… from here on out- it’s up to you…”

“That’s it… BUT you have to mean it…”

“I do… finally, I think…. No, I know—I’m going to try to take it one day at a time and quit planning my future- when You KNOW it…”

“That’s my girl- now, come and let me hold you, I know you feel broken but I promise child you will heal and the pain that this ‘man’, a mere mortal has caused will fade in time- just put your trust in ME…”

“Ok… hey can I peek at YOUR plan book??? PLLLLLEEEAAASSSEEEE just to get an idea of what lies ahead???”

“I said don’t make me smack you upside the head!!!”

“OK…just hold me and let me cry then….”

“No  problem…”