Maps are one of the most beautiful things to look at. I especially love old maps that show how the world has changed over the years. When browsing through antique shops I enjoy flipping through the different maps they have in their bins. I have always wanted to have a large, antique style world map on the wall in my living room. Then I could put those cool map pins in it that would remind me of all the places I have been and let me dream about all the places I would like to go.
The funny thing about maps...I love to look at them but I can not be bothered to you use them most of the time. I have never been one who likes to plan out my trips. I typically love to set out on my journey with an idea of where I want to go and see where I end up along the way. I figure I am going to meet some very interesting people, find a great hole-in-the-wall restaurant or find a town that needs to be explored. I love to take my time and savor every interesting little detail. If I take a few detours, get lost, or my car breaks down I look at it as an adventure rather than at something to be worried about. Well, that's not entirely true. If my car did break down and I was stranded in the middle of no-where I would have some issues with that!
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" Psalm 16:9 NKJV. I always notice the word "but" in this verse. I have a lot of plans in my heart. There have been many times I have "felt" something was right for me only to find that God has a different plan. This has happened in my dating relationships, my house hunt, and in my daily life.
It is funny how in travelling I like to fly by the seat of my pants but when it comes to my life I want to stick to the plan I have. I find if it does not go the way I want it to I get really annoyed, angry and try really, really hard to keep going in the direction I want to go.
I will never forget the time I was shopping for clothes with my really good friend. I was sorting through the rack to see if I could find a cute jacket. Out of the blue a woman reaches around me and starts sorting through the rack right where I am looking. I was instantly annoyed as I really do not like people getting that close to my personal space. I felt like she was invading my personal boundaries! Besides, there were many other racks in that store! She looked me in the eye and said something apologetic. Instantly I felt this still small voice prompt me to tell her how beautiful she was. She really was a beautiful gal. I told her, she said thank you and I turned to go back to sorting through the clothes. As I started to go back to what I was doing I heard something that sounded like sniveling. I turned towards her and I asked her if she was ok. She said "You do not know what a horrible day I have had. I needed to hear that." I stopped what I was doing and gave her a big hug. I told her that God knew and that He loves her so much that He prompted me to say that to her. She slowly walked away and my friend and I turned towards each other. My friend said, "Jeanette, that is what you were created for."
I was so focused on finding that cute jacket that I did not like that someone had come in to hinder what I was doing. I am that exact way with God. Every time I am focused on that cute guy, that perfect house, that exciting opportunity and it hasn't worked out with that guy, or the house (five plus years is a long time to be looking), or that opportunity I get frustrated and angry at God.
This situation with this woman is one of the map pins I use to remind me that God's plan for my life is so much better than my plan. If I would look up from the "thing" that I am desperately searching for I will find God's perfect will for my life. He loves me so much that I am worthy of His best for me. I may feel He is thwarting my plans but He is actually directing me onto the road that will lead me on the journey He has for me. I may get lost along the way and not know what's around the corner but I have map to use - His Word and Holy Spirit. How exciting!
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Packing and Unpacking
I LOVE TO TRAVEL!!! Over the years I have had the opportunity to visit Germany, Russia, Australia, India, Mexico, Canada and many places throughout the US. Preparing for my journey is always exciting as I anticipate the departure date. I am a bit of a procrastinator...so I am usually packing the night before. When I travel overseas however I have to do a lot of preparation - Passport, Visa, clothing, toiletries, and items to entertain myself for the long journey. When I am on an airplane for twenty-four hours I make sure to have some really good music, reading material, ear plugs, a sleep mask and a warm blanket. I prepare myself mentally that I am going to be in a cramped space for a really, really, really long time. And if I have a window seat I have to be prepared to disturb my aisle buddy when I need to use the bathroom. This can be a hard task if we are on different sleep schedules!
I have made some pretty long journeys and have found travelling to worthiness has been the longest and hardest journey so far. Just like my other trips I have seen some amazing sights and have met some incredible people. On the other hand I have gotten exhausted along the way and have realized I forgot my earplugs and a warm blanket. Without those earplugs I hear a lot of negative words that tell me I am unworthy, not good enough, no one cares about me, no man will ever choose me. I need to lose weight, whiten my teeth, be funnier, be more serious, be more adventurous and do things that compromise my beliefs to get what I want. At times my heart has grown cold and I have felt all alone.
These negative words are bags I need to unpack. They are not needed and are not helpful in my travels. The funny thing is they almost seem to jump right in my luggage without me knowing it. Circumstances or things people say seem to reinforce that I need to take them with me, that they define my journey and that the negative words I hear are true.
When I travel to a new place I consult an expert on the climate, culture, the best hotels, and the sites to see and the sites to avoid. An expert is going to tell me what to bring and what to leave at home. The best advice I got was to bring a bandana with me to India. I went to the local store and got the cheapest red one I could find (red because it is my favorite color). I figured it was something I would buy but not end up using it so I did not want to spend a lot of money. When we arrived in India it was somewhere around 120 degrees and I was wearing sweat pants to stay warm on the airplane. We were picked up in a very compact hatchback. We stuffed four people and luggage for three in the car. It was so hot the air conditioning in the car could not keep up with the heat. The first thing I pulled out of my bag was that beautiful, red bandana to wipe off the sweat dripping down my forehead. I had never been to India before and had no idea how useful that bandana was going to be! Thank you expert!!!
The expert in my travel to worthiness is God's Word. His Word tells me what I need for my journey and tells me what to leave at the foot of the cross. I do not know why I insist on taking heavier bags than I need or leave behind the things I need the most. Paying for bags over the weight limit is a much higher cost than God has asked me to pay. He has already paid the price for my unworthiness - He paid it through Jesus Christ.
Through the power of His blood and the Word of my testimony there is power to defeat these negative words. As I write this BLOG it does not mean I have arrived at my destination but it does remind me that my enemy has been defeated and the negative words are untrue!!! Remember this as you travel through this life. God is with us on this journey. I do not need to send him a postcard because He is WITH me!
I have made some pretty long journeys and have found travelling to worthiness has been the longest and hardest journey so far. Just like my other trips I have seen some amazing sights and have met some incredible people. On the other hand I have gotten exhausted along the way and have realized I forgot my earplugs and a warm blanket. Without those earplugs I hear a lot of negative words that tell me I am unworthy, not good enough, no one cares about me, no man will ever choose me. I need to lose weight, whiten my teeth, be funnier, be more serious, be more adventurous and do things that compromise my beliefs to get what I want. At times my heart has grown cold and I have felt all alone.
These negative words are bags I need to unpack. They are not needed and are not helpful in my travels. The funny thing is they almost seem to jump right in my luggage without me knowing it. Circumstances or things people say seem to reinforce that I need to take them with me, that they define my journey and that the negative words I hear are true.
When I travel to a new place I consult an expert on the climate, culture, the best hotels, and the sites to see and the sites to avoid. An expert is going to tell me what to bring and what to leave at home. The best advice I got was to bring a bandana with me to India. I went to the local store and got the cheapest red one I could find (red because it is my favorite color). I figured it was something I would buy but not end up using it so I did not want to spend a lot of money. When we arrived in India it was somewhere around 120 degrees and I was wearing sweat pants to stay warm on the airplane. We were picked up in a very compact hatchback. We stuffed four people and luggage for three in the car. It was so hot the air conditioning in the car could not keep up with the heat. The first thing I pulled out of my bag was that beautiful, red bandana to wipe off the sweat dripping down my forehead. I had never been to India before and had no idea how useful that bandana was going to be! Thank you expert!!!
The expert in my travel to worthiness is God's Word. His Word tells me what I need for my journey and tells me what to leave at the foot of the cross. I do not know why I insist on taking heavier bags than I need or leave behind the things I need the most. Paying for bags over the weight limit is a much higher cost than God has asked me to pay. He has already paid the price for my unworthiness - He paid it through Jesus Christ.
Through the power of His blood and the Word of my testimony there is power to defeat these negative words. As I write this BLOG it does not mean I have arrived at my destination but it does remind me that my enemy has been defeated and the negative words are untrue!!! Remember this as you travel through this life. God is with us on this journey. I do not need to send him a postcard because He is WITH me!
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