Am I really the boss of me?

I have always had a strong faith in God and prayer has been important in my life, but I often wondered why my plans went awry when I was faithfully seeking wisdom. It is hard when we don’t get the answer we want to our prayers…especially when the answer is “no” or “wait”. I must admit that I can be impatient when I want a sign to move forward…I sometimes forge ahead…no matter the consequences which hasn’t really worked for me!

I am finding age has it’s good points…other than the arthritis in my hands…as I have the ability to look back and see how God has been the one to orchestrate my life. Last week, my morning devotional started: Approach this day with awareness of who is boss. An interesting statement in a world filled with slogans, and articles about taking charge of your own life. Speaking from experience, I can attest that being in charge of one’s own life has its casualties.How many mornings do you get up with your plan for the day and suddenly nothing is going as YOU planned.

A disruption could be presenting me with a new opportunity, preventing an unknown calamity, or it may have nothing to do with me. God is working in the lives of many around me so the inconvenience could be around someone else’s needs, but still has an impact on what I want to accomplish.

Ten years ago, I had to close a business I had started. That was one of the most challenging times that I have had. I really believed that the business would succeed and then something unexpected happened that required it to be closed. I had no job…just debt. I decided the solution was to sell my house, clear my debt and start over. It made perfect sense, so I called

That night I prayed that God would open a door and though I couldn’t see how it would happen, I decided to let go and for once not be in charge of my life. One week later, I was unexpectedly invited to return to work for Apple and to top that off (which is hard to top) I was called to interview for a contract job which I also accepted. I was on Cloud 9 to say the least. When we think He isn’t hearing us…He is putting His plan into action…coordinating a cast of thousands I imagine. I have learned that He is not often on my time frame, but He is faithful to answer in His time frame which is always perfect. My job is to pray and remember Who is Boss.

Thought for you: Look through a different lens when your plans go awry…take a breath and consider how to adjust looking expectantly at what God is doing in your life…God is faithful.

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established”(Proverbs 16:1-3 ESV).

#calamity #fluid #incharge #prayer #unexpected #wisdom #disappointment #awareness #Boss #disruptions #life #God #plans #challenges

What’s Next?

Did you wonder if I would ever write another blog? I did….for a bit. You know how life just happens and all of the sudden things aren’t the same! That has been my life since fall of 2014. A wonderful man entered my life November 2013….this fall I resigned from being an Apple contractor, remodeled my home, got married, and I have been in the joyous process of combining our stuff, stuff and more stuff! (Men, I do believe you hold on to more stuff than us gals!)

Like many, my life has not been free of challenges….sometimes I have felt that I had an over abundance, but over the years I have come to understand that those difficult times have strengthened my faith, taught me better strategies as well as given me courage to move through new problems as they arise. When the hard part of life happens…it often seems that things will never change. I think it has been easier for me to write and express myself when dealing with a difficulty because everyone can relate to the conversation.

A bird’s eye view of how life does eventually change:

Notes from October 2013: fear, despair, frustration as I had no work for 5 months…but life doesn’t stay the same and just when you decide to give up, something happens… fast forward to

Notes from October 2014: love, joy, peace. (that says it all…short and sweet)

I am off the road for the first time in 23 years. I am beginning to realize that my work had become my identity and my life…with that gone… who am I now and what do I have to say? I didn’t slow down gradually…I came to an immediate halt! The merry-go-round of planning a wedding and traveling with my new husband kept me from thinking about what would come next….until NEXT arrived. What were my options…did I want to do something different…did I have another career in me?

I know I’m not the only one to have a Next….many would say..”How lucky you are…I wish I could ha

My husband has such a gift of loving me and gets a kick out of watching this process that I am going through as I try to figure out which direction to take. His support is encouraging me to simply have some fun so I can get my creative juices flowing. Imagine that! What a luxury this is for me! For years, I have not been to be able to just have fun and I’m beginning to discover there is something important in this process.

Are you so driven that you have forgotten how to energize yourself? Step out of the box you have put yourself into and wake up to smell the coffee…flowers…or whatever makes you healthier, happier, and more excited about living! Even if you aren’t in the midst of a Next, don’t let your job control your life…as we don’t all get a Next. I’ve got more stories to write…I’m sure of that…so stay tuned…I promise it won’t be so long!

Tip: Live your life…do something this week that you have missed not doing!

#devotional #refresh #staytuned #rest #creativity #work #marriage #change #fun #identity #relax #challenges #living