The other day I wanted to throw something. Or have a pity party that would involve eating lots of Patticake (from YUM!) with Cookie Dough ice cream.
And I couldn’t figure out why!
Until the late afternoon when it hit me. I was cranky because I felt out of control.
Can you relate? Maybe just a little bit?
You’ve had days like this where it rains when you were planning an outside activity, and a friend who’s made a commitment to be somewhere backs out, and unexpected circumstances derail another something you looked forward to, and you have to ask permission from 3 people who hold the power to let you to do something you think they should be begging you to do and they don’t even realize how lucky they are to have you around.
Bottom line? You feel powerless and you don’t like it.
Not one bit.
It feels like everyone else in the universe, and God, (who’s in charge of the rain don’tcha know), has power and they’re using it to wreck your day. Can I get an “Amen!”?
But what if…
What if it’s not a matter of being powerless, but rather who or what we’re giving the power to make or break our day?
What if, instead of growling and stomping (figuratively at least) and threatening to move to Tahiti like “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”, we asked,
“Hmmm… I wonder what God has in mind…Lord what are You up to that wasn’t a part of my plan today?”*
Years ago we heard a speaker who did a lot of air travel and so, inevitably encountered many out-of-control frustrations of delays, weather re-routes, and cancellations. His refrain, which John and I often say to each other was, “You can cancel my flight, but you can’t cancel my day!”
So this is the spiritual practice I’m trying to engage in when I feel frustrated that everyone in the world didn’t get the memo that they were supposed to follow my plan.
I’m trying to ask, “Lord what are you up to?” and then live with an attitude of expectancy for how God will redeem my disappointment.
The key for me, then, is paying attention and reflecting with God at the end of the day on what His answer to the question was.
What is helpful to you when things aren’t going according to your plan?
* This was prompted by a line in a message I listened to by Ken Davis recently. You can listen to the whole thing here.
Oh yes, Laura. This is me lately. I am in control of so little and it makes me feel so vulnerable. I can control what I do, but I can’t control how people respond. I just have to wait. And trust. And that is so, so hard. Did you see my post about it earlier this week? I actually hyperventilated about our housing situation. (http://everydayawe.com/2012/07/24/control-panic-and-finding-our-anchor/) I have been clinging to Hebrews 6:19. I have an anchor for my soul when life is swirling all around me.
Great verse to cling to! Sorry I missed your post – thought you were on hiatus 🙂 Praying for a sense of the breath of God for you today.
Oh my word, Laura, yes- you can get a loud “Amen!”. Everyone of your posts are like a tuning fork to my soul. I literally feel such a deep and profound connection to our Lord and to you and to life again as I read your lovingly inspired posts. I definately feel out of control on nearly every front and find myself circling from one overwhelming task to another. Thank you for giving such clarity to what was swirling in my heart and head. I could feel the tension leaving as I once again refocused on our Lord.
Carol, my tiny frustrations sound so whiney and tiny compared to the challenges I know you face daily. You are truly an inspiration to me! YOU are someone who lives out “You can cancel my flight, but you can’t cancel my day!”
I was thinking the same thing about me, that my worries and challenges are so minor compared to so many others. And I love, love, love that quote! Might have to paste it on the frig. Thanks Laura!