Five Minute Friday [23] - God's Plan > Mine

I'm a planner. Some more go-with-the-flow individuals may find a detailed plan too restrictive, too claustrophobic. And I can understand that, I suppose. But me? I thrive on order and knowing what to expect (I'm aware of how OCD that sounds, hah). I find just taking things as they come downright scary at times. Because those things can come at you hard and fast, blindsiding you. In other cases they practice subtlety, sneaking up on you but changing your life in their own way nonetheless.

And Change...well, Change and I have gone backwards and forwards. Sometimes I chase versions of it, thinking it's all I need. Other times, the majority of the times, I'm running from it before it even hints at coming around. Because I like to plan. And Change thinks plans are for suckers.

But no matter how many lists I write or how many plans I make, and regardless of whether I think I've successfully scheduled everything or whether I decide I'm going to go with whatever comes my way after all, the reality is that I'm not in control of what's going to happen. I can't predict how every next step is going to go, whether I'll embarrass or injure myself by falling hard or whether I'll find my legs are getting stronger and my resolve is getting hardier. I can, however, pray for the strength I need, the wisdom I need, the truths I need to be reminded of. I can bow myself in obedience to the God bigger than me, than this path and this journey, than all of everything.

And that...that sounds better than a plan.

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. / Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

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So, my five minutes of writing on a Friday turned into a bit of a longer thing, as usual...but, thoughts? What kind of person are you, the sort who is more relaxed about what's up ahead, or someone wants to figure stuff out well in advance? 

If you're the latter, I can relate, and I hope nobody every throws you a surprise party that you didn't really want, or cancels on you on the night of a big event, or changes plans you'd been prepared for to plans that involve the unexpected- and I hope that everything you cook or bake comes out perfectly, that circumstances don't cause you to run late all that often and that the outfit you planned in your head looks exactly as it should when you put it on. But also, and most importantly, I hope that you find peace and strength in the Lord  ;)

Five Minute Friday [22] - You Won't Find It There. It'll Be In His Arms

They say what hurts inside can be turned into art

They say pain paints a picture, calls out to another soul
But what about the kind of pain that wrecks your heart?
The kind that devastates, that leaves nothing left whole
And burns inside at the same time as it leaves you cold?

When you’re growing up they tell you to find your passion
They don’t always warn you of the things, the thieves of this world
That steal away your passion or your ability to imagine
Or what leaves you by yourself in a ball on your floor, body curled

Perhaps it’s in the name of protection and a feeling of safety
No one wants to tell a kid about the dreaded, about all of the scary things
You’re born without a shell but you grow one all too quickly
You still learn about those things, starting from when you have bad dreams

They say we only have this one life, so do what you want
They say that you better live for you and yourself or you’ll get stepped on
But what about forgiveness that’s pure and love that’s soft?
And what if you found when you die that Someone knows all you’ve done?

When you’re growing up you’ll hear that you can be your own god
But that will only leave you in darkness, leave you unable to heal yourself
Your Father wants to tell You how He loves you infinitely and beyond
But will you let that sink in, will you stop putting Him back on the shelf?

Perhaps it’s hard to believe, perhaps it’s unlike anything you’ve ever known
Yet no one could ever love you more than He does
Still, no one finds it easy to surrender and most think they can make it alone
You’re born and your heart hardens over the years

But He can take the pain from your shoulders,
He can remove your heart of stone
And He can make your heart a home

Will you let that sink in,
or will you just let it go?

t.h.
written: 10/07/20