(Do you have an 80s tune running through your head now? I know, I know, that was, "If This Is It...")
I found myself posting a comment on Pioneer Woman's blog in reply to this question:
How similar is your life now to how you imagined it ten years ago? Twenty years ago? Are you exactly where you imagined you’d be? Or are you constantly asking yourself, “How did I get here?” Do you mourn the unrealized plans in your life? Or are you happy no matter what your circumstances?
And I thought I would share my reply here:
My life is in no way similar to what I pictured. Not at all. I really thought I would be traveling the world now, teaching ESL [and sharing Christ!]. Instead, I am living in the deep south (I'm from the midwest), with a nice job and bills out the wahzoo (though I did manage to get the Master's Degree--thus the bills out the wahzoo!), but loving learning to be content...appreciating the beauty and the people in this place at this time. I guess I thought I would be married with kids; I don't know that I consciously planned that, but I'm seen myself mourn those conspicuous absences over the years.
I've also learned that pretty much no one's life turns out exactly the way they planned, and that mostly, that's a good thing. (Remember Moses the murderer who ended up being God's spokesman for a brand-new nation? Or David the shepherd who became a king?) Just because it doesn't look the way I thought it would doesn't mean God isn't working out beauty in the midst of it all. And, though I still miss what I thought would be, just perhaps, this is the best path for me....
What about you? How would you respond to this Q?
In His plan,
-J
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
--Proverbs 19:21, NIV
(c) 2008
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4 comments:
I never pictured by self, 10 years ago even, with 5 children. Especially with a 14, 11 and a 9 year old. You would have thought that I would have guessed that 10 years ago. Kids do end up ageing. But of course, you have to meet your kids first. I would not be suprised 10 years ago that I would be celebrating a 5 year old's birthday.
20 years ago I was only 6. (just ask K, my KC friend- hee hee.) We are turning 26 this year - just go with it. Hee Hee
So enjoyed your transparent answer.
My life circumstances are different than I pictured...but the quality and joy its filled with are very similar to what I dreamed.
It is very true that it is most often a wonderful thing that God intervenes on our plans.
Ten years ago with boys in school, I could not imagine a different life. And older women were warning me to get a hobby.
Did you see Uncle Bob's comments about your Great-Gramma? Can't wait to meet her in heaven.
I have to admit this is not a question I think about much. And last night in church, the pastor asked where we thought we'd be in five or ten years. Hmmm... I wonder if I should think it about it more? Hmmm...
-Suzann
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