Seven days without a reliable computer and internet connection and I feel less like a competent messenger than when I started this little mini-vacation a week ago.
I could tell you all the funny things that have happened, things like the scary (and possibly dangerous) pedicure during which I was subjected to an entire Jackie Chan movie at top volume. It was many things, but relaxing was not among them.
I could tell you how therapeutic it is to pick blueberries at 8:00AM in your parent’s backyard and then watch your mom make them into the same purple-studded muffins she made for you as a child, and then to watch your children devour them in the same way you did.
I could share the way my heart swelled to watch my flower-girl-five-year-old dance with her daddy at our sweet cousin’s wedding– and then how it broke a little knowing the same two would be dancing at her own wedding in less than 2 short decades.
I could tell you how I laughed until my very ribs felt about to crack in a Target parking lot with one best friend who fills my heart with pure, unadulterated joy. And also, how I then cried real tears as I drove away from another beautiful, lifelong best friend, knowing she would be holding her firstborn son next time I saw her.
But being as I only have five (ish) minutes I should cut to the chase.
I left home with a bag of books I needed and wanted to read and a short list of blog posts to write in my head- none of that happened. I left home with a loose agenda of what the week would hold and though most of it morphed into something different altogether, I return home tomorrow having been filled up, spilled out, hugged tight, loved well, listened long, and with a full heart.
God is good and His ways are not our own. Thank goodness for that. He knows what we need. He knows how He will use us to love, minister and care for those around us.
I hope my agenda dies a slow death each and every time He has a bigger plan for me to simply be a messenger of His love and GRACE.
Linking up with Five Minute Friday at Lisa Jo Baker’s!
First of all, it sounds like you have had an incredible week! So many memorable things happening….but a dangerous pedicure??
And secondly…yes! It can be so hard to set aside our plans and agenda, but look at what can happen in just 7 days when you managed to let go! So many blessings. I pray we can both allow Him to work, regardless of our plans this week!
Amen to this, Cynthia, “I hope my agenda dies a slow death each and every time He has a bigger plan for me to simply be a messenger of His love and GRACE.” So glad you were filled this week even though it wasn’t what you had in mind. His plan is always better than ours. 😉
I love how God took your plans and unfolded them into something else entirely beautiful.
Thank you for sharing!
Cynthia, I’m so glad you had the week that you did. Sounds rich with blessings. Praise God that He is in the preparation, process, and product of our “letting go”. I loved this beautifully written piece. And my mouth is now watering for blueberry muffins… 🙂 FmF
I love your message of surrendering our plans to God’s plans. Thanks!
Seems like you had a fun and interesting week 🙂 I love the last line of your post and believe that it should become a part of my morning prayer each day. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful vacay you had, friend! So glad you were able to get away and see God’s grace and love in His big plan for your week. Thanks for sharing with us!
Your writing is beautiful! Your week at home (I think it was home!) reminded me of my own sweet visits back to my parents house– never quite what I’ve planned but always a blessing. So glad to find your blog!
This is beautiful and you are too!:) “I hope my agenda dies a slow death each and every time He has a bigger plan for me to simply be a messenger of His love and GRACE.” I needed to hear this- oh my inflexible agenda- thanks for sharing. Stopping over from #BlogItForward:)