no plans

Grace and peace on your Tuesday Dear Hearts.❤️ This morning the Lord laid Matthew 6:34 on my heart again…

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
Matthew 6:34 Amplified Bible

Last week, as we visited with our out of state guests, I found myself attempting to explain my reasons for not planning very far ahead. The conversation may not have been needful, but Monday morning during our quiet time Mr. L said, “now I get it!”

Thank the Lord! Previously, any time I said, “I don’t make plans anymore.” my words were taken with a very negative connotation.

So…why do I feel it is needful to share this with you? Because, dear hearts, if even one of you is inspired to trust the Lord in a deeper and more meaningful way, my passion and purpose is fulfilled.

The conversation went like this:

Me: “I don’t make plans anymore.”

We’ll overlook the raised eyebrows and head shaking that came next. Let me just tell you, I’ve made the same statement for years and whenever I’d say it aloud Mr. L, along with most anyone else within ear shot, would take it as a very negative commentary on the way our life has changed over the years.

It’s not.

Here’s why:

For most of my adult life planning was enormously important. Plans and the anticipation of their fulfillment gave life meaning for me. Being a very detail oriented person planning every detail of a situation, a vacation, or any other circumstance gave me a sense of control, and I needed control.

Maybe you can identify with that?

But…after giving my life to the Lord things began to change. Did you ever hear someone say, “I plan. God laughs.”

Apparently my plans went much deeper than simply penciling in a date on the calendar. Apparently my plans, consciously or sub-consciously, included deep expectations regarding the way others fit my plans. Apparently, when others failed to live up to my expectations my responses were not exactly positive. I’ll bet some of you have been there too.

Somewhere during our first few years together, with a great deal of frustration, Mr. L explained, “You set up a whole scenario based on your expectations. Then when things don’t go the way you planned… The problem is you never tell anyone else about the script for your scenario!” Eventually his words began to sink in so I started working on changing the scenario. A few years later the Lord brought me to His Words, “Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:25-34 RSV) In other words, don’t set up a scenario, load it up with expectations, demand that others meet your requirements, and then pitch a fit when everything doesn’t work out according to plan.

Never underestimate the power of a good hissy fit!

As I went on to explain the lessons learned from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s counsel my reasons for making *no plans* began making sense to my listeners as well.

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6