Where, oh where did the summer go? Are we seriously falling into fall already? This week I’m in limbo, lamenting the end of carefree, schedule-free, long, hot days of summer—yet desperately ready for structure, sanity, and cute boots. I love, love, love summer, it’s truly my favourite season, but I hyperventilate with excitement just a little at the thought of the family back to bustling and me having the house to myself again…
This September finds me with 3 “kids” (not sure if I can actually call them that anymore, but “offspring” sounds rather rigid) all in very different places of academia. One still in high school (thank goodness, because I’m so not ready for the next phase), one starting undergrad at Uni (but still living at home, thank goodness, because I’m also not ready for that next phase), and one doing post-grad at Uni in Montreal (seeing as how she’s married and living on the other side of this fair country, its happening if I’m ready or not.)
Back to school shopping, that whole stressful thing at Staples, cute little lunch boxes, and labeling every item that leaves the house—they are all becoming distant memories. And my 13 years of homeschooling with curriculum selections and social interactions are a complete blur. Still not entirely sure how I pulled that off. Such priceless memories, but it’s time to look ahead to another school year and embrace what’s coming. Yikes.
Does that freak you out—looking ahead at the next year? Are you worried about yourself, your kids, your family, your job, your health? Life goes on if we’re ready or not, and quite honestly I don’t know how I’d survive if I didn’t believe God is in complete control. I can place my kids, my family, my writing, my health, and my future all into His hands, knowing His ways are ultimately best, and knowing that my worrying and stressing will do zero for anyone or anything. Myself included.
Notice I said “can” place everything—not that I actually do. It’s a super-duper idea, but easier said than done without a truckload of faith. Oh, I try, but we all know it’s a struggle, this control thing. It’s a constant cycle of me thinking I’ve got it covered, me realizing I actually don’t because I’m… me, and then throwing my hands in the air in despair, and finally upturning those palms and remembering that GOD has it. He has it. He had it all along…
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
So won’t you join with me and take a deep breath as we fall into fall and let’s brace ourselves for what is it come—the plans, the agenda, the changes, the challenges? We’re ready for this. We have the Master Planner in control of the whole lot. (We just have to remember that little nugget.)
Ready… (ish)
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
Laura – thanks for sharing today at Faith Filled Friday. I'm your neighbor and I say, YES! yes, I will join you by taking a deep breath and fall into fall and change -whew – change has been my word for this entire last year. I can so relate to everything in your post. I can and I will choose to place it all at His feet… and when I pick it up again, I will hand it back over to Him again. Blessings
Hi Debbie—thanks so much for stopping by and for your cheers of agreement! I wish you a wonderful September as you embark on change and all sorts of wonderful! Blessings to you 🙂
Thanks, Laura, for this reminder that God is the Master Planner, not me. I need to fill out my paper planner in pencil so I can make the needed changes as we face the new fall routines.
your neighbor at Holley's
Ah yes—writing in pencil is a very smart idea! Thanks very much for stopping by and for your encouragement. Happy September—blessings to you!
I really enjoyed reading this and can relate to where you are in your life right now except I am a little beyond you. I do look in disbelief at times how fast those years have gone by. I love how you describe God as the Master Planner because it is only with Him that we can look to the future without reservation. Thank you for linking up at Weekend Whispers.
Lovely to have you here—thanks for your encouraging words 🙂 Everyone warned us those kiddie years would fly by, but I'm pretty sure we didn't believe a word of it back in the "survival days". Making the most of each and every year now that I have chance to come up for air… Have a wonderful September—blessings to you!
We have the Master Planner in control…yes! So enjoyed reading about your "children". I understand those next phases all too well. My Three Sons are all grown and out of the house. One undergrad, one working on his masters and one post-college and married with our first grand-child on the way. Life changes and changes quickly. It comforts me so to know God has it all in His hands, worrying doesn't change anything but the anxiety within me. Blessings, I am your neighbor at Faith Filled Friday! ♥
Ahh it sounds like you are a little step ahead of me with your "kids" 🙂 Every stage is so wonderful—I'm sure you must be looking forward to the grand-parenting stage! How exciting! Thanks ever so much for stopping by and commenting. Blessings to you!
nice post, glad you shared.
Thanks very much—thanks for stopping by 🙂
So many times I plan out my day, week, month, year and it doesn't even come close to the plan. I must learn to make each day count on it's own because "today" is all we have.
Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca. I hear you about the whole planning thing :/ Each day is precious… I have to remind myself of that, too. Have a fantastic September—blessings to you!
I need to be reminded daily, sometimes hourly, that God is in control and that I don't need to worry. It's always good to be able to read about those reminders so that I can feel the wash of God's peace over me. Thank you for another reminder!
I hear you, Judy, and I totally agree! Thanks so much for stopping by… hope your September is beautiful 🙂 Blessings to you!
Love this! My post this week was all about surrendering to God, and a miracle life! Yes, though, hard to do when we want always to be in control! Yes, my whole day was about helping my son figure out colleges, how will we do this, have him leave, how to pay for college, fret, fret, fret, this is just after I wrote the post on living God's way! Now back to rooted faith, God has it handled!! Found your post on #Coffeeforyourheart today!
Haha—I love your honesty 🙂 Thanks very much for pooping in here fro Holley's. The control thing certainly is a daily battle, and I feel for you with all the big decisions re college. But you are absolutely right—God has it handled! Deep breath… blessings to you!