Pick Up a Pencil and an Eraser

Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser.

Where are the times we write in pencil rather than ink or permanent marker? I can think of a few. Math, we always want to do math in pencil so we can erase and correct our mistakes. When we are doing a rough draft or sloppy copy of a piece of writing we not only use eraser but skip lines so we have even more room to edit our thoughts. On our calendar we pencil in those appointments that are tentative. I just got an address book and that is definitely a place I use pencil not pen. There is a place for ink but in our busy lives we more and more use pencil or one of our devices that can easily be edited as things come up to change our plans.

Our plans change not only because life gets in the way but because better opportunities arise that we want to take part in. I laugh at myself when I look back at the absolutes that I truly believed would be a part of my journey. This morning I feel a need to list a few. I am sure after I post this I will think of dozens of other examples. But the truth is that even with all of these forks in the road, my life has been and is exactly what I want it to be at this stage. Too often I kicked and screamed when my life didn’t turn out as I had envisioned but looking back at the big picture I wouldn’t change a thing.

~In college I wanted to be a speech therapist to work with deaf children.

       I love that I had the opportunity to work with children with learning needs, emotional and behavior needs and autism.

~I wanted to have four of Ron’s babies.

      I am blessed to have our four chosen children that are the perfect family for us.

~We wanted to move to New Mexico right after college.

      I am so thankful for our time spent in the Bay Area.

~I always believed Ron and I were solid then we separated for six years.

      We are closer and happier than I could ever imagine. God used those years to fix what I didn’t admit was broken in our relationship.

~I believed I would outlive all my children. My Ryan died when he was only 24.

      He left me with an opportunity to walk beside other families who lose their children too soon.

~I always thought we would live close to our children.

       We get to take wonderful trips to visit and have them come visit us.

~I thought after retiring I would work with adults with autism.

      I worked with families of birth to three year olds with developmental delays coaching them in their homes. Then I did what I said I would never do and taught in a preschool. I loved it! 

~I thought Ron and I would surely divorce if we ever remodeled another home.

      God proved He had truly healed our relationship and our year and a half remodel has been a gift.

      We have gotten even closer working together, picking out faucets and light fixtures.

~I always thought I could not keep up with my Mom’s energy.

     I am here learning to care for her as she needs help in everything from putting on shoes to walking to the couch.

In every plan in life I need to know that even when it doesn’t turn out as I would foresee, there are positives in the detours. Even the heartbreaks of my life have left me with opportunities to grow and walk beside others through my pain.  

In Him,

Joyful

2-7-19