The year was about to change.

A new chance to start fresh.

A do over.

I prepared my heart for big things.

I opened my mind to opportunities that felt impossible.

Then the day came – January 1.

Before midnight hit, unexpected circumstances marched in loud and strong to a beat I never anticipated.

There beneath the weight of heartache, I watched the clock cross over into the next day and already on the second day of the year I was behind on my plans.

My planner all marked with permanent ink was a mess of undone meetings and unmet expectations.

You would think I would have learned by now to write my life in pencil. Those things on my calendar that I so bravely and boldly proclaimed to do and achieve got canceled and changed.

You’ve probably been there too. Maybe not on the very first, fresh day of the year, but you know that feeling of thinking things are all laid out ready to conquer.

But, detours and delays took you a direction you never saw coming.

I get it.

This year has swirled and twirled so fiercely that I’m still riding the emotional wave of all the unexpected.

But here, I’m finding a new a way to live. It’s a life in pencil kind of way. It feels new for me.

I’m a planner. I even purchased one of those fancy goal planners this year. But last month as I opened up my calendar, I found a mess. So many cross outs and scribbles that my mind couldn’t make sense of it all.

I got a brand new calendar and started fresh again. But this time, I did it right.

Every word in pencil.

Not because I’m not committed, but because God knows so much better than me.

And it’s fall y’all. And I’m re-evaluating my goals, my dreams, my plans…

I sense God moving deeply in my heart. He’s telling me all kinds of things. I’m bracing myself to take it all in. And so I’m writing again. Like, really writing. I don’t know where it will go or what it all means, but I do know this –

God’s Words are not in pencil. They are permanent and oh how thankful I am for His Words of wisdom in my life.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23(ESV)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10(KJV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27(ESV)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7(KJV)

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133(ESV)

 

So as I doodle out the plan for the fall, I’m ready with my eraser in hand looking hard at Jesus wondering where He will take me next.

It’s not that I’m living knowing there is hard stuff looming, but I’m learning where ever God takes me is better than any personal attempt at planning or preparing for the next big gig.

Isn’t Jesus so amazing!

He can take a year of heart aches and mishaps and make it the most valuable even though it’s felt oh so very vulnerable.

Maybe you are in a vulnerable, raw season of life wondering why in the world life is such a roller coaster ride.

There is a purpose! I promise.

God in all His glory is orchestrating something amazing right within your heart. It’s up to you to take out the pencil and start erasing. The masterpiece God is working on might not look like anything you ever dreamed, but I can guarantee you, it’s gonna be stunning.

So go ahead, let God do what He does best. He’s already at work. Let go of your plans.

If I’ve learned anything this year it’s that my plans are worth erasing when God speaks.

Don’t ignore His voice! I beg you. His way is the right way even when it feels like the hard way.

Go ahead. Erase those things you want so badly to achieve. God’s way is so much better. Living life in pencil isn’t easy, but it’s completely worth it.

What have you had to erase this year? I would love to hear from you!

Love & Blessings,