When my children and grandbabies arrived the house was clean. The Precious Moments nativity set was all in place with Mary and Joseph looking over their newborn son and the shepherds watching over their sheep.
Food was prepared and in the refrigerator, and beds had fresh sheets ready for a refreshed sleep.
When my family stumbled out on Christmas Eve morning to go to their other families or to their own home, Joseph and Mary were under the couch, and baby Jesus was nowhere to be found.
Food was scattered under the high chair, and fresh sheets were on the floor. Baby toys were in the tub, and a bucket of dirty diapers in the garage.
The night before eight strong adults were whipped as one baby cried, waking a second, who woke the third in increments throughout the night. Somehow one grandbaby slept through it all. In the morning we all emerged bleary eyed, looking for coffee, but excited for the day.
Perhaps nothing went as planned, but it was the unplanned moments that made Christmas the most fun.
If you joined me from Encouragement for Today, welcome! If you read today’s devo, you’ll understand how overplanning can make a special memory dim as our plans go awry.
There’s nothing wrong with planning. Because I was hosting 12 (four of them babies), planning had to be involved. There was food to prep. Special foods to buy for the little ones. Sheets to wash. Gifts to wrap. Pack and Plays to set up.
Taking a family pic at my children’s grandparent’s home.
But I couldn’t plan the outcome.
If I had held tight to a rigid set of expectations, I would have missed those special unplanned, messy moments. I wouldn’t have been able to appreciate 18-month old Luke holding my face in his and kissing me one time, ten times, twenty times over. Or 13-month old Jane waking up crying in an unfamiliar bed, but ready to snuggle with me in mine. I would have missed how amazing it was for these tired moms and dads (once my sweet babies, all grown up) to wake up ready to enjoy the day when everything had gone awry the night before.
How does overplanning limit us?
There was a time when the messy moments would have been less fun because I would have planned it, but worried if my to-do list didn’t all get checked off.
It’s surprising where overplanning shows up. It can show up in our ministries. In our relationships. Even in our faith.
Perhaps after the holidays is where it’s so glaringly clear. You struggle because someone or something didn’t live up to your expectations. It can show up in our need to have everything perfect (though perfection is rarely all it’s cracked up to be). It can show up in our inflexibility when people or things don’t do what we think they should, or when your well-laid plans disintigrate.
What might happen if we set aside our planning from time to time to enjoy the moment? To build in flexibility and a heart to find the surprises and miracles in the unplanned moments of our day?
One of my miracles came as I sat in a chair with one-month old Audrey asleep in my arms. My children sat around the table, laughing, sharing old memories, telling stories. Little ones in all states of undress played throughout the living room. Blocks and toys were scattered from one end of the livingroom to the other.
It felt good.
I was wrapped in family. Cocooned in memories in the making.
What if we learned to simply do what we can, and let the rest play out as it will? Would we find treasures just waiting to be discovered. . .whether in us or all around us? 
In today’s devo I shared a quote from Sarah Young’s devotional that stopped me in my tracks, reminding me that overplanning can be less about being Martha Stewartish, and more about a lack of trust in God.
Share one way that you overplan, or what God has shown you in this area for a chance to win a copy of Jesus Calling, my gift to one of you today.
This reminded me of a devotion that I read a while back that REALLY hit home for me. If I could just “surrender” ALL situations to God, then if things didn’t go MY way, then God must have intervened. And, His ways are always so much better than mine! It was very freeing for someone like me, who also is an over-planner, to be able to “let go and let God”….
For the past two or three weeks, God has been sending me a message in one word: believe. I have struggles with having enough faith or belief that God will come through for me regarding several things going on in my life. “Believe” keeps popping up at me in unexpected places, a few for instance include noticing a sign that had been there all year; “believe” written on a star on a Christmas gift I received; the topic of a particularly moving daily devotion based on Mark 11:24. There were other things, too. And now the concept of “unbelief” explained so simply: “You will not find my Peace by engaging in excessive planning; attempting to control what will happen to you in the future. This is a commonly practiced form of unbelief.” This speaks to me–the control freak. I’ve been known to make lists that include categorized sub-lists! So, for me, understanding that too much planning and attempts to control the uncontrollable is form of unbelief, encourages me to lighten up a bit and “believe” more. Thank you for delivering this message to me. It’s just what I needed to hear today!
God is showing me that overplanning is a form of unbelief. I never looked at it that way but always wondering why things didn’t work out only to realize that I was trying to force the outcome. Is it what God wanted or where God wanted me to be? I think I just found my word for 2013 Trust. Great devo today.
I try to overplan family get-togethers year-round. Which with a big family is really stressful! Recently I’ve realized I have to let go and relax. I’m not being a very good example of Christ when I lose my cool in front of my entire family. : /
I had never thought of planning as resounding with unbeleif, this is an eye opener!I am also a detailed planner, but I try to get around it (“try” is the operative word!)by telling the Lord in the morning, just before I get into a mad rush: “Lord we lay aside all our plans as a family that only your plans and purposes may prevail”!
This devotional really cemented things that God has been talking to me about – letting go so that he can show me his way & living in the moment. God is everywhere in all things but we so have to slow to his pace to see them (I’ve discovered!) A major area of my life reached meltdown this year but the more I have let God direct things the more relaxed I have been able to be. I have no idea of the outcome but I know if I let God show me it will be the best answer. That is not easy let me tell you for someone who plans reasons & needs to know why all the time!! I am learning with God to enjoy where I’m at even tho that wouldn’t appear humanly speaking to be a very good place at the current time. I am trusting God for the future whatever that is , but it is a daily realignment of seeking God & laying down my plans & my impatience. Realising that over planning on my terms is a form of unbelief really spoke to me……..because over planning is still all about me, my plans & dreams & my need to determine the outcome…..
This devo definitely rang true with me. As my husband and I were planning to move hours away to a new state where we knew no one I felt helpless and out of control and angry that God was taking us away from friends and church family that we loved so dearly. My natural coping mechanism was to plan plan and plan some more so that I would feel better about the move and more in control. Instead it seemed like nothing was going according to MY plsns and I just felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety and stress. Its taken me a long time through that relocation process to realize God’s plans always work out better than mine and that I just need to trust Him even if I can’t see how its all going to work out. Its a daily struggle sometimes though!
Loved today’s devo! I used to make lists all the time, but would get frustrated and depressed when interruptions caused me to get very few things crossed off. I am learning to enjoy the interruptions more, and not worry about how everything I think needs done will get done. It is a daily process to lay my list at Jesus’ feet and submit to HIS plans for me each day.
When our six year old daughter Sarah was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly cancer, plan became a four-letter word at our house. We learned to live in the moment and find joy wherever we could. God was in control, and I, a confessed control freak was not. And that was okay, because I was able to relinquish my plans and lean instead of lead. Five and a half years later, God decided cancer couldn’t have her anymore, and took her to live with Him. And we are still trying to be open and available to His plans, which have included working in our church’s food bank,babysitting for a single dad, a mission trip to the Navajo nation in Gallup, New Mexico, and stocking the clinic she received her treatment in with snacks regularly. I still make lists of what I need to do, but I try to be pliable because I never know when God may show up and change my plan.
The devotion rang true for me this morning. I planned to have my whole house organized and clean by today. It has caused me great anxiety to realuze how far away I am from that actually happening. Thanks for the refocus because I have had a lot of fun playing with my kids since I am off work this week. I would have missed out on this rare time had I stuck to the plan!
God has convicted my heart that He is in control and all I need to do is trust Him. Every time I try to control a situation I step back and say “God I trust you, because you know what’s best “!
Yes, being organized can leave me with stress filled moments. Let go and let God.
I justice birth to our second daughter on December 18. From the moment we found out I was pregnant, I could not understand God’s timing in her due date, which was during my husband”s season of coaching basketball. To me, this was the most inconvenient time because my husband would be gone so much for those first few months. God has already show me that His timing is perfect and He is taking care of me. My husband got an extra week home with us and I am learning a lesson in allowing others to help us. What a joy it is to have another daughter, even when I wanted to plan her arrival for another time. Gods timing is perfect!!!
Thank you – a wonderful reminder of the pitfalls of over planning
I wouldn’t say I over plan, but when I have an idea of how the day should go & it doesn’t flow the way I want, I get upset, disappointed, overwhelmed & frustrated. God has been working on me through Proverbs 31 Ministries through your articles in a couple of areas in my life. I have been lead to do the Let It Go online bible study.
I am a planner by nature, and actually that is what I do as a full time job…but throught the years I found I go through cycles of overplanning then letting go then underplanning…but all the time knowing I am doing as much as I can and the best i can that is within my control, all the time knowing ultimately god is in control of it all. But also that he has trusted me and allowed me the freedom to try and make mistakes and learn and grow and ultimately rely on him and his ways. I can ultimately trust that if I let go of my ways, he will take control and that is when everything seems to go just perfect!
When do i not overplan in my mind. As a stay at home mom when i planned and prode us along my son is in distress which causes me frustration and anger. And it begins before the close of the previous day. Sometimes so busy and occupied to find out whats next that i negate the beauty and wonderfulness of the present.
Reading this was like wow. I’ve always been a planner and have backup plans for backup plans. It never occurred to me this could be a control issue. For me obedience is the word that comes to mind. In addition I have to remember God’s plan is better than mine.
This is sooooooooooo me. I think I have all of my plans mapped out, get up go along, only to have a monkey wrench thrown into the picture. I get anxious when thigs just don’t fall into my plan. But who’s plan is it anyway? Mine? or HIS? His of course but it’s so hard to take myself out of myself. I feel like I’ve just walked into an AA meeting. “Hi my name is Beth and I am an over planner.” And, this is not to knock on people who attend AA meetings, I commend them 100%. I’m just finally admitting that I over plan, over schedule and have always written on my calendar in ink. No more, 2013 I will trade in the pen for the pencil so that I may erase my controlling agenda just in case. Thanks for the devotion.
Beth Farley
I tend to be a planner and get upset when the plans I lay out don’t work out. I have been studying Experiencing God and have been challenged to change the ways I plan, think and pray and am really enjoying setting aside my ways for God’s plans.
Wow!!! This was a very timely devo….I, too, sat reading your quote from Sarah Young in disbelief!!! It was as if God was speaking directly to me! Recently my husband has been looking at changing jobs (stressful in this economy). This would mean a move for us (I have lived in this area my whole life) – major change for me. More stress. I would research everything: location, homeschool laws, churches, and housing. Of course planning how we would move and what we would take. Each time all my planning was for nothing – no move – no job. However, more stress for me, the planner. Growing in the Lord is hard work. But, I’m very thankful for his patience and for the encouraging words like yours. Thank you!! This was perfect timing.
Thank you for the devo & the blog post. I tend to get frustrated & upset when things aren’t going as planned. I was reminded today to let God be in control & for me to simply trust that He has my best interest at heart & He can use any circumstance(s) for good. I definitely need to practice, with HIS help, being flexible!
~Blessings~
I’m constantly planning and trying to make things happen. Until recently, I never saw it as unbelief in God’s timing. He’s been placing that conviction on my heart in the past few weeks. It’s still hard and I struggle constantly, but I keep moving forward and am able to catch myself in the act a little more often. Thank you for today’s devotion. Happy Holidays
Believe it or not, I don’t plan events. I plan relationships! As a child my father was an alcoholic who left our family when I was only an infant. My first memory of him is one that revealed to me that I was unworthy of love. I was designed only to be rejected and abandoned! As I grew up I decided that I would control every single relationship I had! I’d plan in advance how I’d respond when I felt threatened of being rejected again. I’d plan and prepare my script and learn my lines and cues so that I’d be ready to exit stage left before they could exit stage right! I manipulated and controlled their love by pushing them away and drawing them back in. I planned how they would treat me before I ever really got to know them. I’d already planned the outcome to protect myself from being hurt. God showed me how I was even planning my relationship with Him! I didn’t trust His love either! It took a LONG time, in fact I still struggle today, with the fact that He loves me even when I sin! God showed me that I needed to trust Him and that HIS love for me is conditional. I still struggle with planning relationships but I am learning to trust God more each day and believe that he will never leave or forsake me! This has helped me build stronger deeper relationships with others and has squashed my “plan”! Thank you Jesus!
I tend to overplan in general and then not leave enough time to actually do the task it is I need to do. I’m such a Martha and it has been a struggle to overcome that. Thank you so much for this devotional! It really hit home and is going to be a great reminder for me during this struggle.
For me It’s a lack of trust. I know HE is faithful. So why do I doubt His plans for me are good and not to harm me? He alone has never let me down. And He is patiently loving me and accepting me right where I am! Oh God, You’ve been so good to me! Thank You for teaching me to trust You more.
I agree with one of the other ladies. I don’t over plan but when things dont go the way I want them to in my mind I get very disappointed & frustrated.
Blessings,
Janet W.
Just as Deb Tilghman said in her comment, the Lord has been showing me daily that I need to simply believe, instead of trying to figure everything out, or excessively plan. Thank you for this blog post. xx
What I get out of your AWESOME devotion is: that it’s NOT about ME! That there are a world of things that God wants us to come to Him about to pray about, to meditate on and not just about THE ME SYNDROME.list are great and I do make them, but I just need to keep them in perspective. This is what God’s spirit is saying to me through your devotion. Thanks so much and may God bless you in the coming year.
Jenny
Wow! Such a great devotional…thank you for sharing. It was like a punch to the gut—in a good way that shows me the Holy Spirit wants me to pay attention. I know that I “work my plan” in before focusing on God’s will…but I hadn’t used the language. These words ring especially true: “My planning was less about organization, and more about worry. I felt more in control if I made lists because I felt like I was doing something.” Thank you for bringing this issue to light and letting God’s light and love pour through it!
When my children were growing up we were always so busy and on the go. In order to stay on top of our “life” I too had lists and calendars showing me deadlines! Now that everyone is grown up with children of their own, I’ve learned the most important thing is just to be together, the food doesn’t matter – just so there is food; a spotless house doesn’t matter – because it will be chaos when everyone arrives and no one notices the floors! I try very hard to celebrate them sharing their time with me, because I remember the busyness of raising 3 children and making time for parents as well….which being very honest, was not always easy to fit in. I love having adult children and I love having grandchildren; and I love that God has shown me the importance of the relationship is the quality of time – not the quantity of time. Don’t get me wrong I do still make my lists, but if something doesn’t get done now, I realize it’s not the end of the world. I ask God to bless the gathering and be with all of us, and help us to be understanding and loving toward one another. Of course for me I never have enough time with everyone, but I am greatful for the time I do have! So for the young mothers, my wish for you is to be able to enjoy the small things, even when things don’t go as planned there is a blessing in there, a special moment that could turn out to be the memory of a lifetime! THANKS BE TO GOD!
It does not cease to amaze me how God can use anything to talk back to me in a very personal way.Today’s Devotional was just that; a very personal conversation with the Almighty and All Powerful God. I am constantly thinking and planning things in my head. Sometimes I feel like my head is about to burst, and though I know the verses shared today in the devotional I react to unplanned situations with surprise, deception at times, and forget to look apon the good that God brings everytime (Romans 8:28). I pray I can realize everyday that His ways are better than mine. Thank you for sharing this devotional today and letting God use your experience to bless others.
Once again I’m speechless! Your daily encourage ments are exactly what I need! I say I believe God is in control but the more I trust Him the more amazing He is to me! Thank you soo much for your ministry ; I feel so blessed that God led me to your website!
Love and Hugs!
Penny
I really needed this devotion today, the timing was absolutely in God’s plan for me. I am a control freak and it is really hard because I am also a list making perfectionist. I have struggled with these issues my whole life and I know that it’s wrong, it even makes me sad and crazy when I realize I’m showing one of these characteristics. My adult children laugh at me and say “Mom, just relax.” Anyway, I’m not sure what one single word I would use this next year to help and inspire me because a whole phrase comes to mind, “let go and let God!”. But I think my kids put it best…RELAX! Thank you again for your well timed words of wisdom.
For a long time I have struggled with being a perfectionist, and this in turn makes it very difficult complete tasks, and projects! My perfectionism makes long “to do” lists… I become overwhelmed by the “over planning”… I freeze up and procrastinate… and then my list grows even longer, as my guilt from not achieving MY goals builds. It becomes a vicious cycle! However, I am trying to recognize what items on my “to do” list are the most important, and what are GOD’S goals for me?
Thank you for your devotional, and its encouragement to me as WE(God and I)work on this!
-Michelle
This was a great post. I never thought of overplanning as a way of not trusting God. I have found many times when I have a plan for the day, my day doesn’t go as planned. God brings situations or people into my life I was not counting on. When I stop to think about it usually these situations become a blessing in my day.
I am always making lists and there are always more things than time allowed to have successful results. But I am a last minute achiever and somehow things do get done. Actually, looking back I realize I AM TRUSTING God and we share the victory together! He is with me all through it!
Such good timing to read this devotion this morning as I have already begun to plan my year… Over planning, and even more so, over analyzing how and where I spend my time makes me feel like I am in control of producing the end result I want. The reality is I could probably do everything on my list and still not guarantee results… What I really want for 2013 is time with God, time with my husband, time with my son… and a thriving interior design business that allows me to help support my family while doing something I love.
I need to believe God can order my steps and continue to promote me and bless me. However, as a person who thrives in organization and planning… I’m not sure how to do this. I have always believed failing to plan is planning to fail, but I have also had many well laid plans that have failed. I guess it comes down to the motives behind my planning… am I planning because I want to be organized and effective, or am I planning because I am worried I won’t achieve my goals- that somehow God won’t come through so I need to do the work to “make it happen”.
Hmmm…
Thank you for this post. I am reading it while being forced to rest. I have bronchitis and rest is all I can do. My husband is just home from overseas and there is much to do to pack and get ready to move to our next and hopefully last duty station yet. Plans have been stalled and rest is the order of the days for the past week. God really does know how to get my attention.
This is a very timely message for me right now as I prayerfully am working on what changes (if any) to make for 2013. I am a reformed perfectionist and am struggling to make sure that my plan is God’s plan.
~ Dorothy
This really hit home for me. I’m not content until I’ve made a list for the day–chores, errands, meals–and it never occurred to me it was tied to worry, but it is. I’m always worried I won’t get it all done. But God has shown me over and over that what really is supposed to get done each day will–IF I let Him in on the planning and ultimately give Him the control.
Thank you for your devotion!
I overplan almost everything! I have everything laid out the night before for the next day, schedules synced on everyone’s calendars, lists made for daily activities. But I am trying to let go and let God! Much easier than it sounds, but definitely worth it.
In the midst of all of my ‘control’….my marriage is falling apart & I think I’m having a heart attack- Only to learn I am having panic attacks. OMGosh! The perfectionist with her list. How could that possibl y be! Well….without total faith & trust everything can & will fall apart! A hard lesson
God continues to show me Isaiah 55:8-9, which states, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.” As I plan and want to make moves, I have to remember that all of my planning may not be what He wants me to do. So, I continue to ask Him to guide me as I move through this journey called life.
I don’t want to be so set in my plans that I miss the moments God puts right in front if me. Whether that is with my kids or a stranger we meet while we’re out. My schedule is never as important as I think it is. I need to start each day praying I will see the plans He has even when they look like detours.
Our daughter and son-in-law gave us our 1st grandson ( 3 granddaughters) on Wed. and I spent all day yesterday cleaning and visiting others, “because that is what I do on Thursdays” and now that I’ve read this, Friday’s list is going out the door and I am going to visit my new grandson!!!!! I will not see him much for 6 weeks after he leaves the hospital on Sat., so this is the time to hold him!! Thank you for this reminder to take time and savor memories.
Overplanning my children’s lives puts them at a disadvantage. I realize that I may take opportunities away from them. By not trusting in God and focusing on what I want for them instead of what GOD wants for them I am hindering their spiritual growth and mine.
I have learned that when my plans get off track by life interrupting them to not loose my mind and let it rob me of peace. Instead, I try to take a moment and pray for direction and regroup.
I don’t always pause to do this. But when I do there is a peace that my plans can never provide.
Your devotion was perfect timing for me! I have been wondering what my real purpose in life is and what I really should be doing. I’ve been dealing with a lot of anxiety and it makes me wonder if I’m in the right job, with the right spouse… After reading your devotion today, I realize that I am worrying about it and second guessing everything – I am in the right place and God will help guide my future steps. I run myself ragged trying and trying to seek control. I need to always be reminded and keep telling myself that God is in control. God is in control and has a plan for my life. I need to quiet my thoughts and listen for His words of wisdom and not my own.
I can relate! For me, overplanning is one of the first signs that I have fallen into the world’s mindset and am leaning towards self-sufficiency. It’s an exhausting way to live, with a white-knuckled grip on everything, seeking to control what is uncontrollable. How I need His rest!
God showed me in this area that God’s timing isn’t mine, and how important it is to “Lay down ALL the worry about how things will work out.” The PROMISE in 1 Peter 5:6-7 that GOD IS IN CONTROL encouraged me immensely today to simply TRUST GOD, and to STOP letting the enemy discourage and distract me. The Power Verses: Luke 12:25-26 and Proverbs 16:3 was also a great reminder to KEEP the truth (God’s Word) above all else.
I’ve been subscribed to Proverbs 31 Ministries for a few months now and I can relate to everything everyone has been saying. Thank you for letting me know that I am not the only one. I do overplan but I have convinced myself that this weas for the good of my husband and 9 year old daughter. I planned for us to move an hour away from work to provide a stable environment for my daughter with emotional disturbance. I felt that if we had a real home instead of a rent home that this would make some difference in her behavior. I had been working on a mortgage since June! We were denyed the mortgage and I felt that I had failed my family. I gave all this worry, stree etc over to God this morning and then this wonderful e-mail from you appeared in my in box. Thank you! You make a difference!
I tend to overplan…everything. I think planning is good, but only to an extent. Unfortunately I tend to plan everything out to the T and when things don’t go according to my plans, or don’t live up to my expectations, I let it ruin my entire day. And in turn, everyone else’s day. I struggle with this a lot and am slowly changing my attitude. I’ve made some progress, but have a long way to go! I am confident I’ll get there eventually, especially when God speaks to me through devotions and blog posts like yours. Thank you!
Overplanning and overcommitting myself has been a real issue with me in the past. I do see where I was excessive about it and the stress (undue of course) it caused, not only me, but those around me. I know God’s timing is perfect and though I can still plan my day to make good use of my resources, I don’t have to be compulsive and overreaching.
I too could be a card carrying member of “Overplanners Anonymous” especially during the holiday season. However, several years ago God pricked my heart that in all my striving to plan the “perfect” tree, pick out the “perfect” gift, decorate a “perfect” home, host a “perfect” party and bake a zillion “perfect” cookies that I was missing the most important thing of all…His perfect son, Jesus. My husband and I prayed about how God would have us celebrate and He answered that prayer by showing me that it was okay to let go of all the planning and perfectionism and just focus on Him during the holiday season and every other day of the year.
Thank you so much for making me realize I definitely overplan and expect such a perfect world to develop as a result. I am so very wrong. Speaking from a mother’s heart, I always wish for my children and grandchildren to enjoy a better life than I ever had. Disappointment and hurt is not want I desire for their lives. Now I must turn this over to God as He directs our live in 2013.
This was perfect for today. So frustrated at my mom for leaving my sister’s 1.5 hours late, which means we will be late getting to my brother’s & then my uncle & cousin’s b-day party. However there is nothing I can do about it. Instead need to make the most of extra time I will have at home, & be thankful for the opportunity to spend time with my brother & uncle’s families.
Guilty!! I plan everything, what bills to pay, how much to pay, what the week and weekend will be like. I get frazzled sometimes when they don’t go as I planned (and they often do NOT) – Trying to go with the flow and trust God more each day and with each incident. He is working on me, still in progress!! ha ha
This was so very convicting! Thank you for pointing out that the over planning stems from worry. That is my biggest struggle! Thank you for the encouragement today!!
Planning–I have so many plans and so many do not get done. I really liked your encouragement to start the day trusting God and letting Him guide your plan. I need to do this more!
Planning is one of the things I do best! I’ve been planning on my husband getting a job for a long time now (7 mos out of work). He is trusting God with timing and I’m sitting here planning on how to help him find a job! I obviously am not experiencing God’s peace when I do this. Blah.
I am a list person. I do lists for everything from how much I walk daily toa thankful journal. If I’m off for a period of time there is a list of items to accompolish daily.
Doing spreadsheets is another biggie of mine. I track expenses, car payments, home renovation costs & savings build up. You name it I will do a spreadsheet or list for it.
Loved your post on trusting God more and plan just a wee bit less!
This devotional has great timing for me. My sister and her family were driving from CO down to NM yesterday to see me, my husband, and our five week old son when their car broke down and they had to spend the night in Trinidad. They couldn’t talk to a mechanic until this morning and found out that the car couldn’t be fixed until after the date they were planning to be back in CO (next week). We were all very frustrated that their plans were upset, and this devo was a great reminder to commit our plans to God. Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂
I’m a list maker, and learned through scripture, what a taskmaster I had become, in my judgement of others, when expectations weren’t met. I still make lists, as I’m a recovering type-A… 🙂 …but, I now have the checkpoint of remembering and relinquishing to Him, ALL expectation. My lists are my work, my expectation is HIS. ‘Makes it all SO much more peace-filled.
I plan everything I eat. Everything. It’s stressful, but I think I care more about staying thin than I do about trusting God. {sigh}. I count calories, carbs, fat and food in excruciating detail, and I plan my entire day around exercise. My whole life is about calories. It takes the joy out of living some days, because I’m so anxious about it. And I don’t know how to let it go. So I plan and plan some more. A plan helps me feel more in control!
Suzie, thank you so much for your devotion today. It really hit home. I am a “list person” and a good planner. This is not a bad thing and has generally served me well, but there are are drawbacks, as your message reminded me. Lists become an issue for me when they turn into paralysis of analysis (fear of doing something instead of just talking about it) and attempts to forsee (aka control) every possible circumstance in my life. Over the last few years, I have become very aware of this and have made some improvements, but there is still much work to be done. Making lists for really difficult tasks makes me somehow feel like I’m doing something, but if action doesn’t follow, there’s no benefit. A number of years ago I participated in a Bible study during a really difficult season and was fervently praying for God to “come and change my life”. It was a revelation to discover that God wouldn’t change my heart if I wasn’t willing to do so. That sounds very simple, but it was a huge eye opener. I have also come to realize that the overuse of lists and organizing shows disobedience to God by not trusting Him in ALL things. As I contemplate what 2012 has brought to my life and what lies ahead, I am reminded to rely on God’s Word even more in 2013 and not in my lists!
This devotion really spoke to me. I am struggling with health problems and unable to work at this time. I keep telling myself to “Give It To God” but realize while I am thinking it, I am not doing it! Thank you for the reminder!
I, too, am a planner and list maker. I feel good when I can look
back at what I have accomplished at the end of a day. But I find myself more convicted of late to set aside my lists of to do’s and spend quality time with my growing kids, aged 7 and 9. I want to play with them when they ask instead of replying that I have to do this or that from my “list.”
On a different note, we have this devotional, but for kids. I love it!!!
I SPEND WAY TOO MUCH TIME PLANNING WHAT I AM GOING TO WEAR FOR THE
NEXT HOLIDAY-BIRTHDAY-OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL EVENT. NOT JUST MY OUTFIT-
BUT EVEN THE PERFUME-MAKEUP-JEWELRY . THEN I SPEND EVEN MORE TIME FINDING EVERYTHING AND GETTING IT ALL IN ONE PLACE!!!! ALL THIS WOULDN’T TAKE SO MUCH TIME IF I DIDN’T HAVE TOO MUCH OF EVERYTHING!!!
THEN MOST OF THE TIME I DON’T GET ALL THE MAKEUP OR JEWELRY ON BECAUSE
I HAVE WASTED TOO MUCH TIME LOOKING FOR EVERYTHING!PLEASE PRAY FOR ME
TO BE ABLE TO TURN THIS BAD HABIT OVER TO GOD.
One thing I came across recently that I loved is aabout choosing the important over the urgent. When I overplan or get caught up in my details, I end up doing the urgent but its not always important! Ex. Can that email reply wait until my child falls asleep? Its based on priorities really.
I hav been married 24 years this December and I hav 5 kids and let me tell u nothing never goes as planned some1 will loose a shoe or a sweater and then were all going crazy looking for it and we end up eating junk playing a board game watching a movie making fun on whos going to loose in the game and telling late night stories or talking about God’s word. Like I wanted to hav a well planned out anniversary go somewhere special was planning on it all year but considering on that day that we hav kids we decided get eclairs from the market bakery an $2 subs from subway and getting cozy on the couch watchin a movie and u know, it was wonderful : )
BTW my 16 year old daughter had me print out your devotion 2day Thank you for sharing, may God bless
This devotional has revealed to me that I need to do less writing lists and more “list”ening to God. Instead, I should use my pen to make a list of his blessings that he’s so lovingly poured over me and my family.
Over planning Has to be something I let go of. I am now disabled & that was totally not planned & I have to rely on others to get things done OR to help me.
This Christmas I decided that it was going to be one that I focused more on memory making then the hustle around me. We took time to visit the city all decorated and take a long walk on the pier in the evening. We went to local Christmas activities and Christmas Eve service. While there were a few minor disappointments of things we missed the time was sweet and full of memories. We were able to spend time with family and that was the best gift this year. With one college age daughter and one headed to college next year I couldn’t have asked for more. Life is in the little moments and memories that we make along the way. God is good and taught this Mom that life even when messy is good when lived his way.
Thanks so much for this post! When I was a child I often would ask my dad, “What if…” concerning plans, circumstances, etc. What if we get there and it’s canceled? What if we’re late? What if I can’t do it? What if…? what if… what if… what if… He would try to answer one or two but often would then get annoyed with me.
It is really only today that I made the link to that concern about the ‘what if’s’ being anxiety and worry!
I am still by nature a planner, organizer, scheduler… some might say ‘manipulator.’ I have tried hard to ease up and change this.
Mostly I have learned that when I am in the midst of managing the ‘event’ to perfection (and getting all the perfect photos of it at the same time!) I am missing out on enjoying right now!
Simplifying has freed me. Some of my co-operation has only come as a result of aging and disability forcing me to stick to just the essentials and not the extra perfection, but also I have slowly learned that we are all happier when allowed the flexibility of ‘going with the flow.’
Thanks again for your perspective on this and the new insight it has given me.
Just curious… does this blog require much planning, and/or polishing for you? hehehe
I find now that I have a family to take care of that if I overload myself even with information that I become anxious and so I have to be purposeful every day about what information I allow in.
I also need to declutter in 2013.
O striking a balance is such a challenge. I err on the side of not being organized enough. And that’s not pleasing to God either. Your post reminds me of how important it is to know ourselves and our tendencies and let God speak into them…to give space to God so He can speak to each one of us– whether it’s within an organized planner of a day or a floaty journey from one task to the next. He’s always speaking!
I know that I frequently make plans without asking God for His direction. When I do that I am running ahead of Him and in doing so I veer from His plan for my life.
I like to plan my days and when things go unexpectedly instead of trusting God, like I know I should, I have a tendency to get very agitated with everything and everyone around me. I am trying to be better about this and this devotional is helping me even more, thank you!!!
Michaela
During my morning prayers I have learned to ask God for Him to plan out my day. I still make lists and often refer to my calendar, but I know God will decide what is most important, and ask Him to remind me of that fact. Living in His will is not just about the big life picture, but about each precious moment throughout the day.
I tend to overplan/overthink my future. I get myself started…so if my husband gets a raise by
This month, then we can pay this off and save for this; Then I can finally relax, etc. It ends up being
Exhausting, but also disappointing when it doesn’t go as expected. And I knOw I’m missing out on what’s
Really going on around me.
I overplan in everything. It leaves me upset when something doesn’t work out the way I want it to. Most especially I get frustrated when my family doesn’t leave up to my expectations. It’s really hard. I need to throw away my need to be in control. I need to open my eyes to the beauty of my life, and the good heart of my family. I will appreciate your prayer. Thank you.
It is sooooo hard! Yet it is also so essential. I retired a year ago as a result of having to sell our bookshop because of money problems. We really felt that God had called us to do that work and it was great: hard but so fulfilling. Now I am just flapping in the wind. I cannot get my head around life. Too much space, too many decisions and no idea at all of what God wants me to do. I know, I do know that He is asking me to rest and stop making plans and being efficient, to wait on Him and all the rest but who am I if I don’t. I thought I knew the answer to this and if it was anyone else, I’d be right there with the relevant scriptures and prayers and encouragement. Please do a devotional that takes the unplanning and just ‘being’ a stage or two further.
Bless you.
as i read the devotional it reminded me of recently my daughter and my two grand kids were staying for a couple of days, i have always been a neat and organized everything in its place. durning that short time,between my picking up after my grand kids, my daughter, doing laundry , vacuming, and just on the move, one day my daughter stoped me with, mom,why cant you just stop, for a moment take a break, rest leave things alone, just relax. i told her i cant, i need to keep moving theres always something i need to clean or pick up off the floor, she said sit ,relax enjoy yourself ,at that moment i heard my grandson laughing with my husband, so i peaked into the room and saw my husband being silly and laughing with our grandson, i wanted to enjoy that to and i shared in the sillyness with them both, from that moment i let my focus be on the here and now, and not worry about the mess, or i have to do this or that those memories are what its about, they left the next day, and my grandson was so sad he hugged my husband saying goodbye with sadness and hugging so tight, that nite there was an emptyness we felt, god had shown us to enjoy the moments with our loved ones not to worry about the lists of things that call to us.blessings of moments with family is what its about.
I am a worry-er, and tend to “catastro-phize” very easily! So, I am trying to break myself of this habit. Thank you for the tips! Looking forward to winning the book! 😉
Hi thanks for the devotion on the overplanning! It was a very good reminder for me as it caused me to think about if I was overplanning and worried or trusting the Lord in my plans. I do have some queries do, how then is planning considered appropriate and not “over”-planning? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance to whoever replies! 😀