Isn’t it great–I mean, soul-soothing, flower-smelling, song-singing great—to know that God has so much planned for your life? We start life with our own designs, our blueprints, if you will, and He comes along as the professional and lets us know what will work and what won’t.
And here’s the thing. He’s right. Because He can see the whole neighborhood we’re trying to get into. He knows the structure, the elements, how close it is to the convenience store, and which stores we shouldn’t be close to.
Yeah. That’s our designer, God.
We want our spiritual home on earth to be everything He needs it to be for us. But it won’t stay the same. There will be renovations. Heck, maybe even a move or two. If you’re a nomad, maybe God will ask you to show up in the park but not stay too long.
“For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.”
~Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
I like to capture this verse when I’m overwhelmed, or worse, feel trapped. I know things will change. That knowledge causes me to recognize the everyday glories, and exhale the momentary dissatisfactions.
Life itself is fleeting, and we never know when God’s plans for us will shift.
We should always leave the porch light on and let Him enter at will. He doesn’t care about the mess. He cares about the people living in it.
Give Him the chance to redecorate your life, and give Him your ear when He tells you when it’s time to fix the cracks in the pavement.
Magical Thinking. It’s creating the dots that connect “A” to “B”. If I wake up at 5:38 exactly, it’s a sign I should buy a lottery ticket. Or Because I drank two cups of coffee, the tree sprouted new growth.
Magical Thinking, based on superstitions, is faith gone awry.
Faith believes things will happen due to God’s sovereignty,
not because of our own actions.
Magical Thinking removes God from the equation. Miracle Thinking (Faith) understands that we don’t understand, but still we know it’s going to be okay. Magical Thinking says we will force the square peg into the round hole and explain it later. Miracle Thinking says God works outside the governing laws of dynamics, and He has made all things, and continues to renew all things, so if and when He wants, that square peg will adjust, that round hole will adjust, and they will fit together at the right time. Magical Thinking forces. Miracle Thinking believes.
Faith doesn’t ask for proof of what it is. Faith is the proof of what we believe. Faith is the dots we connect from lifepoint to lifepoint, knowing it all points back to the One who created all Life.
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
~Hebrews 11:1 NLT
Not only that, but you’re where you are for a purpose.
Will you stay there? Probably not, and that’s okay. Because life is always full of movement. Just like a body in motion tends to stay in motion.
But know this: If you’re breathing, there’s a reason.
You have a purpose.
“But our bodies have many parts,
and God has put each part just where he wants it.”
~1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
You’re not meant to be an ostrich, or a closet shelf, or a candle hidden under a basket. Those things are buried, empty, fruitless.
You have a purpose. Even if you don’t know it yet.
Frankly, On Faith . . . : Many Parts, One Body
He knows.
And He’ll keep growing you until you’re ready to blossom. Now and then you’ll be pruned (no fun), but rest assured the Heavenly Gardener is using only the best fertilizer and tools to make sure you are tended to properly. There will (hopefully) be runoff that will trickle over to the other seeds you and He have planted. He’ll use you to shelter, He’ll use others to shelter you.
All you need to do is open up and ask Him to feed you.
And just like the rest of His garden, He’ll tend to you perfectly. If you let Him. Your job is just to share what He’s done for you with the rest of your world.
So, I know the blog’s been a little eclectic lately. A bit of this, a touch of that. A few guest posts. But that’s just like life, isn’t it? I mean, are all your shirts blue? Do you only ever eat eggs for breakfast? Do you never hang out with different people?
I think not.
And that’s why this blog is a li’l bit of everything me and you.
Today’s Five Things Friday is the essential foundation of Frankly, My Dear . . . These five tenets are what FMD is built on. And just like a recipe or a closet, they’re made to mix-and-match. One wouldn’t be without the others. That’s why there are contributing writers, and many readers. We just blend together, dare I say it, like sweet and tea. And Frankly, My Dear . . . I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Frankly. Okay, Yes. It’s Southern. Yes, it’s Gone With the Wind. Yes, it’s, well, in a polite way, my way of saying I’m gonna be who I am and while I respect all y’all’s opinions, I’m gonna say it like it is. I hope that’s okay with you. And since the blog’s been around for a few years and is growing, I’m gonna assume it is.
Frankly, My Dear . . .
Faith. This is a biggie. I can say with certainty I would not be here without God and the peeps He’s placed around me. Y’all are my strength, my source of encouragement, my sounding boards. And I pray each day that I’m able to give as much back to you as you give to me. There’s such beauty seeing God at work in and around me, and I long to share it with each of you.
Frankly, On Faith.
Family. Whether it’s blood family, God’s family, or my writing family, I’m blessed by every one of you. Family are the ones who see your inner beauty when it doesn’t show. The ones who talk you off the ledge. The ones who let you tether yourself to them for strength and guidance. And they’re the ones who laugh and cry with you no matter what, no matter when. Just because you’re family.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : New FRIENDS
Food. There’s nothing better for me than feeding my people, and feeding them well. Food, drink, snacks, desserts. Doesn’t matter. The kitchen is my second favorite creative place and I relish making recipes. Heh heh. I said relish. But seriously. Food is more than essential. It’s a beautiful necessity. And I love sharing it with you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook
Fun. This is the “everything else” category: Writing, crafting, travel, reading, DIY, home improvement, Happy Planning. And coffee. These are the things that make us happy individually and collectively. These are the seasonings to life.
