Planning, On My Terms

Photo Source: strategic-planning.net

I'm a planner. I've always been a planner and probably always will be. 

From a small child, my days were planned: Monday was dance, Tuesday was piano, Wednesday was church and Thursday was twirling.

When I got into high school I began planning 'life'. From college, to career, to wedding plans, I had a plan from the get go. Looking back, I can see how "my plan" never really worked out.

You see, I had high hopes to be in the legal industry and translate in our court system...that went down the drain when my bold college advisor explained that I needed to live in a Hispanic country for 6-7 before even considering that.

Having a degree in Spanish wasn't going to get me very far, so I began "planning" a plan B.

Music was my plan B. I loved piano and thought I could be a Spanish speaking piano teacher (there's a market for that, right?).  That plan also didn't go very far when a piano mentor of mine shed some light on why she plays. It what she does to "get away" from her job and she never wanted her actual job to be piano. (Now in my career, I couldn't be more grateful for that advice so many years ago.)

I knew I couldn't be a teacher, I don't do boogers. So I went into business and slowly eliminated each major, starting with accounting until I sat intrigued in my first marketing class.

It's funny when you make plans. Mine never work out and in the end, it seems like it's for the best.

When people ask me about my plans for the future, whether it be career, family or life in general. I'm quick to lay out my exact plan and proudly say "I've got a plan".

Many close friends and family have commented "well God has a different one."

Right.between.the.eyes.

How true that has been in my life. Every twist and turn that hasn't been part of "my plan' has been the road that God has planned for my life. No matter what plans I have over the next few years, I know I can trust that God has bigger plans.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11