We get so busy living that life happens….Did you ever get so busy living that along the way life gets in the way? Or happens???

 

 

We  spend endless hours, days, even years planning and preparing our lives, that life gets in there and disrupts our living?

Getting help from others along the way.

I can remember even back in junior high, we would go to a guidance counselor  and sit down and go over our strengths, our weaknesses, likes, dislikes and try to come up with a strategic plan for our future. Remember at that time it was recommended to me to take some business courses, accounting, and typing for 2 years.( which came in handy)

Our Childhood dreams

Now growing up, I was the only girl with the best brother in the world. My family was one that allowed me to be myself whether it was exploring as an adventurer in my mind of pretend treasure hidden in my back yard as I endlessly dug up holes everywhere. Or days I would just love to climb trees and swing from a rope like Tarzan.

Then there were those days I would take over our pool table we had, and make it my work table. Because of my creativity and love for fashion, I would have million of sequins and beads strewn all over the place with scrap pieces of material and would create ball gowns for all my Barbies.

 

 

I could be athletic if I wanted to, but my shyness and shying away from competitiveness kept me more to my own agenda and let my brother be the Jock.

 

Welcome To My World

As a girl growing up, I always had a very imaginative, creative mind and would at times play teacher with a huge chalkboard to all my childhood stuffed animals. Then at times would put on acts or plays with costumes and use egg beaters as microphones and tennis racquets and guitars…

 

Because I was such a girly-girl, I had always thought of Cosmetology, fashion, or something in that sphere. Even today I can lose myself in the old Turner Classics Movies and study and admire all the fashion and gowns of that day. So naturally I just sensed my future would consist of something in that arena.

 

When a modeling recruit came to our school, I jumped into it.  Even took Cosmetology and was being prepped from my teacher who had connections for a job in the theatrical makeup department for Disney in Orlando. Which later fell through and just didn’t happen. 

Cosmetology  was fun and sounded good, but when it came down to a salon and the endless pressure of clients with high expectations… my heart was just not into it.

I still pursued the modeling throughout the years, with all the casting calls ,go-sees and interviews landed some jobs and commercials and all the time felt this gnawing in my gut of just not fitting into that world. In my head it made sense as was making contacts and landing jobs, and the possibilities, but I always felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round circle. In my head it seemed like a fit, but in my heart I struggled with it.

Let the peace of God rule your hearts.

The Lord was #1 above all

 

My love for the Lord had always been a strong pull and calling in my life and thought no matter where I went He was with me to help others, and always viewed things as opportunites .

Then I noticed along the way LIFE HAPPENED….. Turned out life was not a series of well planned strategic moves, but an adventure, sometimes we spend so much time waiting until that future day, that we miss the adventures of TODAY.

The Lord was in Control, He had the final say

Things happened without pushing or forcing, doors opened, and doors closed.

 Rev. 3:8  I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

He opens doors no man can shut and shuts doors no man can open.

I never in my dreams, could have  imagined the people I have met and the places I had the opportunity to go to. Even something as simple as moving to Florida from New Jersey at the decision of my family would cause such a complete turn around or a different direction or path.

Our plans vs God’s plans

In my head I had it all planned out, would wait until I was 35 to get married. Don’t ask me why 35. Guess it was just a number I had in my head that I would have life all figured out and be mature enough then to get married.

Much to my surprise I met my husband at 23-24 and the Lord showed me in whatever you want to call it a vision or a dream or intense view of us growing old together and spending my life with him. I had never felt that way with any other. There was a total peace that overcame me and I just knew.

Again my life took a turn in a different direction and path and different doors opened as far as jobs and goals. Ones that I had never planned for or particularly would ever see myself, but the Lord had different plans and along the way I grew.

Psalm 37:23

 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

It’s then I realized it’s not so much about all the mapping of our own lives, but someone bigger than us is in control and has HIS PLANS. Now yes don’t get me wrong we have choices, and those choices of our free will as to which way to go and what opportunity we take or don’t take, but it’s when we put our life and plans into the Lord’s hands that we truly can see the master at work!!!

Jeremiah 29:11

So as I sit here thinking??????? Are we so busy planning ahead that we miss the joy and adventures of today??? Do we wake up feeling the same old, same old?? Or do we look forward to see what God has planned for us today and get excited about it??

I am guilty as charged and it has made me do some soul searching myself..

Are we what God has called us to be in this world??? Or are we endlessly driving after the things we think would be best for us??

 Col. 3:15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

I encourage you today, as I pray about what the Lord desires of me…to take the jump if you never have and place your life , your dreams, your goals, into HIS HANDS, the master architect of our lives. The one who has formed us in our mother’s womb and knit us together before time. He knows us better than we even know ourselves. I will leave this simple prayer with you.

In His Love,

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Janise Copeman is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com