Who Is Making Your Plans?

Hello Friends,

My it has been such a long time since I have posted! I certainly have missed you all! I hope you had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I know we did. We had the wonderful privilege of having all 3 of our children in our home Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning, along with my mom, Beckie Dunn. We did something we don’t normally do. We enjoyed a big breakfast together after opening gifts. Then while Hunter joined Heather, his fiancé at her grandparents, we relaxed. Later that evening they met us at my sister, Becky’s house. Boy did we have a house full there!!! There was our family, which is 6 (Me, Cecil, Hunter, Heather, Colton and Stephanie), my mom, my sister, Becky and her husband, Robert, my sister’s daughter Catey and her fiancé Nelson, Robert’s daughter Sarah, Robert’s sister Lori, and a couple of other relatives of Sarah and Robert’s (no need to go into relation, it gets to complicated, lol) Lexi and her daughter Lailah, and Karrie and her son Colton. I think that makes 16, well not as big as some crowds, but big for us! OH and Yes, we had 2 Becky’s (one spelled Becky and one spelled Beckie) and 2 Colton’s (both spelled the same). It got a little confusing!!! But it was a lot of fun!!

Here are a few pics of us on Christmas Day! Hope you enjoy!

Cecil Reading the Christmas Story from Luke 2
 on Christmas Morning

Hunter, Colton and Steph Listen to Dad
Read from Luke 2

Cecil and Colton sitting on the couch talking,
Hunter listening intently behind them, and ready to
comment I'm sure!

Sarah, Steph and Heather

Hunter and Heather with one of their gifts

Colton and Steph acting as they
 do when they get together

On to the serious part of the blog, yeah right. Well at least the main reason why I right this. I want to share something that I read in a devotion this morning. It was quite poignant and very relevant to me.

I subscribe to devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I don’t know if you know of them, but this is a ministry to first and foremost, lead women to a personal relationship with Christ. Then they want to draw them closer to Him and encourage and uplift them in their daily walk. There are several women who contribute to the daily devotions. They come from all backgrounds and career fields, so each one gives unique perspectives on different topics, but all seem to be very grounded and have Godly insight.

This morning as I sat down to read, I had to laugh at the title. It was “Overplanners Anonymous”. For those of you that know me AT ALL, you know that I AM DEFINITELY a planner!!! In fact I probably spend more time planning than actually accomplishing the tasks at hand. I know scary thought, huh? So when I saw this title I thought, “Lord, You made this one just for me, didn’t you?” Wow! I’m not kidding when I say that!!!! Here is a link to the devotion so you can read it yourself Proverbs 31 Devotions . Now if you look this up anytime after Dec. 28, 2012 you will have to go to the “View Our Archives” tab on the left side of the page and scroll through until you find “Overplanners Anonymous” by Suzie Eller December 28, 2012.

So back to my story, I began to read. The first verse she quotes is

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way,
 but the Lord establishes his steps.

Then she quotes Sarah Young, from her devotion book “Jesus Calling” "You will not find my Peace by engaging in excessive planning; attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. This is a commonly practiced form of unbelief."

UhOh! That one hit me across the forehead like a 2x4! But God, isn’t one of my spiritual gifts Administration? Doesn’t that mean I’m good at organization? Well of course it does, but it doesn’t mean that I get to take over and act as though I know better than God. What am I thinking? What it does mean is that I am to plan and organize the things in my life that He has called me to do! NOTHING MORE!

I was in a Bible study one time and a lady said that each morning she prayed and asked God to help her know what it was that He wanted her to accomplish that day. What a concept, consulting God on what we will do on a given day, I loved that!

As I approach and begin the year 2013, I have many decisions to make about how I will spend my time. I will not concern you with them all, but one has to do with this blog. I have enjoyed writing and I feel as though God wants me to continue, but I find myself busy with so many other tasks that I don’t have or take time to write. So please pray with me that I will know EXACTLY what God wants me to do. I am also looking at starting a home-based business. I have made jewelry for several years as a hobby. After much deliberation I think I’m actually going to start selling my pieces. Those are 2 important things that I would really appreciate it if you would pray with me about them. I know God will direct me if I only ask.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

The same thing can be said of you. Whatever it is you are looking for in the coming year, if you simply ask, I know, He will show you.

Living in Grace,

Angie