What I Love About Sunday

Encouragement From MeLinda Ann

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Stick To The Plan…

Ep:2

Come on in and have a seat, my friend. Today’s a chili one, so I made us a pot of warm apple cider. Ive also got chili on the stove, and later I’ll have cornbread in the oven too. It’s gorgeous here this time of year. The trees are all changing colors and the leaves are falling, as they prepare for colder weather. This happens as God’s perfect plan, with purpose and clarity.

Happy Sunday, Im so glad you’re here. Today I want to talk about sticking to our plans.

So often we make the best of plans when life is good in that moment. We make plans for our next move and for the future. We make these plans when we are feeling pretty confident. When we’re ready for a change and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the desired change. So, we make the plan and we set out on it. We stick to it for awhile until we run into an obstacle. This can be a “fork in the road” or a “huge boulder” blocking our path altogether. Usually a difficult decision needs to be made. Which direction do I choose or should I push this boulder out of my way, walk around it, or turn around and go back. This happens to me every single time I make a plan. And unfortunately this is where I stop or give up. I suppose its more like I just wait here until a decision is forced upon me or I’m strong enough to move the boulder and keep going.

Lately, I have seen the phrase “stick to the plan” everywhere. When I see something everywhere it makes me take notice. I begin to pay attention to what God is telling me. Because recently I had a decision to make: stick to the plan or change the plan. I’ve been at this crossroads many times over the past year or so. God has given me clear instructions and yet I am easily distracted or persuaded away. This leads to heartache and frustration. This week I was once again confronted with both a distraction and persuasion, but I chose to “stick to the plan” instead. I did this by reminding myself of the plan, the reason for the plan, and what happens when I change the plan. Even when the reasons to change the plan seem valid and good, I know that they will not lead to my goals.

One example of this is that as my husband has returned to work after being on medical leave for 4 months, we have continued our plan to become debt free as soon as possible. This will require some radical dedication and efforts. But its very possible. However, this being November 2nd sets us up for many many distractions. Not only do our boys need shoes for the basketball season, but Christmas is around the corner. The biggest challenge is hearing that a couple of friends are affected by the government shutdown. Immediately my mind went into “fix it” mode. I began doing the math to see how we could help. Then I was reminded of our plan and our reason for our plan. The thing about debt is that it is a very selfish thing. We have debt because we see something and we want it right NOW. We don’t care about the sacrifices later in order to pay the debt. We just want it now! When we tie up our future money, we commit it before we’ve earned it, we are saying no to being able to help those in need. The reality is that we can (my husband and I have) tie up every last dollar to debt and have no wiggle room for helping others. This reality broke my heart and convicted me of truth. As needs were brought to my attention and I was unable to help, it devastated me. This is when my husband and I sat down together to make our plan. The plan is to get out of debt as soon as possible and to avoid it at all costs in the future. We have become slaves to debt. Our debt consumes more than 50% of our income, the rest is just for living expenses. There is no wiggle room. Any time I have helped meet a needin the past, it drove us deeper into debt. It was borrowed money because we didn’t have any of our own. So, this time, with clear focus and dedication to our plan, I choose to pray for these families. I know that God can and will meet their needs. I know that His desire for me (for all His children) is for us to be free, that includes free from debt. Because debt is very stressful. And when we’re under that stress we are less than our best self. The best part is knowing that if we stick to our plan, we will be able to help those in need this time next year!

So what plan are you sticking to? Or what plan are you avoiding? The decisions are challenging and the sacrifices are painful, but in the end it will all be worth it. Take some time today to write it down on paper and include your reason for the plan. Then post it where you can see it every day. Your future self will thank you for this. Be sure to share this plan with only your inner circle (your spouse or best friend). Share it with people who support your growth and want to see you succeed. Hide it and protect it from those who want to see you fail. From the naysayers and negative people in your life. You do not need that energy poured out onto your plans. This is so very important. I, myself, am a talker. I share everything with everyone that is close to me. Most of them either don’t care or have negative opinions. I have learned who I can share with and who I can’t. This time I’m moving quietly. The only one I’m sharing with is my husband. This is very difficult for me, but its part of the plan. So I remind myself daily, to keep my mouth shut. Although I’ve shared a little here with you, I have kept the important details to myself. I shared in case you struggle with similar things and I want you to know that you’re not alone.

Whatever it is, that you decided to do on your good day, stick to that plan. Don’t let the emotions of today ruin what you are working hard for. Our future selves will thank us for sticking to the plan when we’d rather not.

So, my friend, another Sunday has passed as we swing on the front porch. Thank you for visiting me once again. I hope that this has inspired or encouraged you in some way. I’d like to pray with you before you go…

Heavenly Father, all praise and glory to You. Father, I thank you for the technology that made this possible. I thank you for my new and old friends. I pray that they find some sort of blessing here. Father, may You continue to use me in this way. Father, may my friends learn, as I do, to trust You better and to get to know You more personally. Father, may this place bring You honor and glory! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.