What This Summer Has Taught Me

Over the Summer, I read the book, The Next Right Thing, by Emily P. Freeman. To say that it was a great book would be an understatement. I am actually re-reading through it now, because I feel like I really need it to sink in!

For as long as I can remember, I have been a planner, a list maker, and an organizer, because it helps me feel whole. Getting everything out of my head and on to paper, just has a way of calming my soul and brings me peace. Maybe because it makes me feel in control.

But what happens when something terrible happens that you didn't plan for? What do you do when your to-do list is so long that it takes away from what really matters the most? How do you feel when you are so organized and yet, you still can't find what you are looking for? Because, let me tell you, it seems to be happening more and more for me, and I don't like it.

For a long time, I always felt like I was pretty good at figuring out what the next right thing was, because,.... well, I was in control of these things. Over the course of this past year, and more specifically this past Summer, God has been slowly speaking to me about these things. Now, on any given day, you might here me say that God is in control, He's got this (whatever the situation might be) and honestly, I really do believe it! I have seen Him work in the most craziest and beautifulest (don't even know if that's a word), of ways. He is an awesome God who is ALWAYS in control, but....... I don't REALLY, always recognize and trust! I think to myself that I can do it all, fix the problem, and make everything look perfect, and then when it's not, I'm left feeling frustrated, tired, broken, and stressed.

As the Summer came to a close for us, we decided to take a mini vacation to my favorite beach town. It was wonderful! There was no pressure, nobody was in a rush. We didn't have a schedule to follow or a to-do list to check off, we just spent time together, the four of us! We did a lot of laughing and exploring on the beach. We even climbed to the top a lighthouse together and the view was spectacular! As I was thinking of returning back to work one of the quotes from Emily's book came to mind...

"But if you remember Christ dwells within you, beside you, and before you, he will remind you of what really matters. Ask Him, then listen well. Your work is your work. Your pace is your pace. Your life is your life. What a gift!" Amen?!!

And when things don't go as planned, and you feel confused, lost, broken, worried, whatever it may be, just remember God is always there with you. Helping you to pick up the pieces, filling in the gaps, carrying you through, and leading the way. All of these parts of us, the beautiful and the broken, that's what makes us whole. When we change our perspective and realize that life doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful, we can get so much more out of it. We finally realize the missing piece to our wholeness is surrendering full control over to Him and then letting Him lead us into the next right thing. Many Blessings!

Simply Yours,