This Is Not How My Life Is Supposed To Be!

So many times when faced with life changing experiences I’ve said, “This is not how my life is supposed to be!”  Then one day, I began to ask myself, “According to whose plan, mine or God’s?  Sometimes, I believe God sits back and chuckles as he watches us make our plans and then he says, “Oh, but your plans are not the plans I have for you my child.”

As young children we begin to dream about our futures. We begin to determine where we would like to live, the career path we would like to pursue, the character traits of the person we would like to marry, how many children we would like to have, etc., etc.  As we become adults we can think we have it all planned out and then suddenly something can happen that completely throws us off course and we are left screaming, “This is not how my life is supposed to be!”

Raising a child diagnosed with bipolar was certainly not a part of my plans, nor was dealing with the critics who do not understand the disease that blamed much of her behavior on my parenting skills.  I find it amazing how some who have never traveled another’s journey seem to have it all together, know all the answers, and possess the ability to pinpoint wherein the fault lies as we are left scrambling, trying to pick up the pieces, regroup and navigate our new course.  The truth is if you can show me someone who claims to truly know all the answers and have it all together, unless that person is Jesus Christ, I can show you a liar and a fraud.  The truth is we all get thrown off course by situations that are not a part of our plan at some point in our lives!  At some point in our lives we all have screamed, “This is not how my life is supposed to be!”

At no other point in my life did I scream “This is not how my life is supposed to be!” more than when I was faced with the responsibility of raising my grandson.  When I learned of my ‘bipolar’ daughter’s pregnancy I actually said, “God!  What are you doing?”  Then he reminded me of the scripture:

^“ 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

During the time I was first faced with this responsibility I wanted to run from it.  I felt cheated because my life wasn’t going the way I had planned it.  My life was not what I felt it was supposed to be according to my plan.

^“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.^”  Proverbs 3:5-6

Today, I can’t thank my Lord enough for the plans He has for my life!  Though His plans for my life were not my plans for my life; His plan of bringing my grandson into my life has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined.  Though my life is not what I once felt it was supposed to be; it is far greater than I could have ever envisioned. The truth is my life is exactly how it is supposed to be according to the creator of the heavens and the earth and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

Are you living your life according to your plans or are you seeking the Father’s will for your life?  Is your life all that it is supposed to be? Are you faced with a challenging situation in life?  If so, are you only seeing how this situation conflicts with your plans or are you looking for the greater purpose? I assure you His plans for your life will be more rewarding than anything you could ever hope for!  I encourage you to trust Him, submit yourself unto Him, and live the life you are supposed to live!