Have you ever made plans … only to watch them unravel?
I’m not talking what-are-we-having-for-dinner kinds of plans. I’m talking about what-am-I-going-to-do-with-my-life kind of plans.
I’ve had life plans unravel. Evaporate. Combust.
Let’s see . . . there was my original life plan to be a single working gal — a reporter for the Washington Post newspaper, living in Washington, D.C.
Oh, yeah.
That didn’t happen.
Then there was the whole relationship fiasco. (Okay, there was more than one. But I’m thinking of the one that involved an engagement ring.)
My upcoming release, Catch a Falling Star, asks the question: Is life about making plans . . . or wishing upon stars . . . or is it about something more?
Which leads to my fun announcement:
I believe everyone wrestles with the question What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan?
And eleven of my writing friends are going to guest-post about the topic of life and plans on upcoming Wednesdays starting April 10 through June 19.
Here are the list of guest bloggers:
- April 10 Cynthia Ruchti, whose book When the Morning Glory Blooms released this week
- April 17 Kim Henson, a writer and blogger who has often encouraged me with her posts
- April 24 JoAnn Durgin, an inspirational contemporary romance writer
- May 1 Melissa Tagg, whose novel, Made to Last, debuts this September
- May 8 Deb Raney, whose newest book, The Face the Earth, releases this May
- May 15 Lisa Jordan, a Carol Award winning author for Love Inspired
- May 22 Rachel Hauck, a 2013 RITA Award finalist (and my mentor!)
- May 29 Dave Hamlin, an up-and-coming blogger and artist
- June 5 Carla Laureano, whose novel, Five Days in Skye, debuts this June
- June 12 Pat Trainum, whose novel, Shadows of the Past, debuts February 2014 (part of a 3-book deal with Revell)
- June 19 Susan May Warren, best-selling author and founder of My Book Therapy, a Craft and Coaching Community for writers
And yes, you’ll learn more about them when they post — because I could rave about each one of these talented people!
One more thing: Because I love celebrating, I’ve decided to put together a “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” basket of goodies … a giveaway in honor of this blog series. What’s in the basket? Not sure yet … although I know I’ll toss in a couple of books! Probably a Starbucks card …
In Your Words: Do you have a favorite quote about plans and/or life? I’d love to hear it. And what would you put into a “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” goodie basket? I may use some of your suggestions!
Comments 35
“Rejoice, for the steps of a righteous man are ordered of God.” That verse has brought me much comfort when things didn’t go according to “my” plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11.
I love the Elizabeth Elliot quote. My favorite quote is actually my life verse, which I have probably shared on this blog many times. Genesis 50:20, (Melissa’s paraphrased versions) The enemy intended to harm me but God intended it for good so many lives could be saved.
Such a cool idea, Beth! Like Laura I immediately thought of Jeremiah.
Another fun idea & great collection of blog guests. No matter what the situation, I love Ps. 56:9 – “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me,” which always gives me a chance to pause, gulp a deep breath, and go forward w/ more confidence. I also love someone’s statement, “When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
My life verse is Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” What I like so much about this is when you delight yourself in Him, it’s His desires that are in your heart. Great post!
Oh, Pat. God’s used that verse in my life too, in big ways. 🙂 Love it.
Jeremiah 29:11. It’s like a flagship verse in my life. God has a plan. He always has a plan. When it doesn’t go according to my plan, well then, it’s probably going according to His…which is better in the long run…though in the immediate, sometimes I give myself figurative bruises from figuratively banging my head against the wall. LOL!
So excited for this line-up of guests. How fun!!
What a wonderful idea and theme, Beth. When my plans go awry, I return to my life verse: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love,” and remind myself that remaining in my Lord’s love is my goal and even (and especially?) dashed plans can further that goal.
Fun, fun, fun! You always come up with the best ideas. As far as unraveled plans, I’ve certainly had some of those. But the best analogy I’ve ever heard went like this: Your life is like a cruise ship at sea. You can make all sorts of decisions that affect your daily activity on board, but regardless of the squiggly lines we run (like a Family Circle cartoon), the ship still heads in a straight line toward its destination. God steers our ship exactly where He needs it to go when all is said and done. That truth helps me relax and trust.
Author
I’m enjoying reading all the responses — and I’m keeping a list of the verses you all are sharing.
Update on the “When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan” basket: It’s going to contain a nice collection of books from authors on the blog tour!
That’s a brilliant idea, Beth! Sharing the love with your writer friends and sharing their books with us. How thoughtful!
Another fun giveaway! Thanks for putting it together for us, Beth!!!
As for a quote to get me through the letdowns of shifting plans, it isn’t really a quote but more of an attitude. Over the last couple years, God has worked hard on my attitude and outlook of things. When life doesn’t go according to plans I’ve made, I remember that God holds the blueprints of my life, which means He’s got bigger, better plans for me than I had for myself.
About the goodie basket, since it’s about life not going according to plan, a fun gift to put in it would be a calendar. (Hee hee.) Anything chocolate — because chocolate helps when you think your life’s falling apart. Definitely books! A stress ball? Because when dreams get crushed, life seems to close in around you.
Just a few ideas that came to mind. 🙂
Blessings to you, your family and your readers!
Andrea
Beth, what a fabulous idea! I’m so looking forward to reading all these posts–especially since I know some of your guest bloggers. How fun!!!
Before I forget, chocolate–perhaps Godiva truffles ought to be in that basket. We all need chocolate to help us get to the right frame of mind when life throws us a curveball, right? 😉
For me, my best verses have already been shared–Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 37:4.
A funny quote: “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” ~John Lennon
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
~George Campbell
And one last one: “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” ~George Bernard Shaw
Wow. Sorry that was so long. 🙂
Ooohh, Jeanne–I forgot about the George Campbell one. I LOVE that one.
When life didn’t go as I had planned in my schooling, the Rodney Atkins song, “Going Through Hell” was my theme song. The chorus especially resonated with me:
If you’re going through hell, keep on going
Don’t slow down, if you’re scared, don’t show it
You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there
When you’re going through hell, keep on moving
Face that fire, walk right through it
You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there
Great idea Beth. You are one busy, productive lady; glad to know you 🙂 I know some of your guest bloggers & look forward to what they share.
Always I liked the poem about the “Footprints.” It seemed to help me know that I really wasn’t as alone as I felt so many times in my life. It helped especially in realizing that God did exist and He loved me NO MATTER WHAT. Being around unbelievers sometimes get me down, discouraged, and out of sorts, wanting to scream at people what fools they are. That’s not acceptable, but it does lead me to pray for them in ever new efforts. Of course all the others above had used the Scripture verses I love, but the song “Jesus Loves Me” has been an ever-gentle reminder.
“They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”.
That verse held me together when the rope didn’t quite reach the depths of the well. And it’s there when life is so good my abs hurt from laughing. And when the tea is hot and my world is warm. When joy is what greets me in the morning and kisses me goodnight. And mostly when I close my eyes and thank Him for the joy of being a writer and the friends I have made along the way.
What to put in the basket? I know where you can get some Canadian chocolate.
Many years ago I came across a quote that moved me so much that I typed it up, laminated it and posted it by my desk at work.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt
I like the suggestions for chocolate. Chocolate makes everything better. Perhaps also a book of encouraging scriptures and a journal to record the “failed” plans along with how the Lord turned it into something better.
This is a fantastic idea, Beth. Love the theme and the concept. I’ve spoken on a topic similar to this, covering what happens when you’re watching from the sidelines while it seems the rest of the world is playing or your life is passing you by.
I say often as I’ve heard it said in the past…if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. 🙂
And a verse our women’s ministry just chose for our theme this year is Psalm 25:4-5:
4 Lord, help me learn your ways.
Show me how you want me to live.
5 Guide me and teach me your truths.
You are my God, my Savior.
You are the one I have been waiting for.
I am so excited (and a little overwhelmed) to be part of this lineup and celebration, Beth. Sharing this post now.
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When all else fails…eat chocolate!
Seriously, I like the verses from Proverbs…Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
I think a journal or a woman’s devotional would go nicely into a gift basket.
Blessings!
Judy B
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