The Plan

Sorry if I have been a little absent from the blog the last couple days. We had a lot going on this weekend and something had to give. It was the blog. Don't take it personally. I still love the blog.

One fun thing we did this weekend was go to a party for a recent graduate named Sandy.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude in her class and was surrounded by many friends and family to help her celebrate this wonderful achievement.



Her children were there. Her grandchildren were there. Sandy is 71 years old.



She has a great story. She began college in 1954. Back then she said, the primary focus was to find a husband, though. So, that is what she did. She fell in love, quit college and got married. Had a couple kids. Sometime in the 1970's she divorced and found herself back in the workforce. She had a difficult time because of not having a formal education. She said the music was great in the 70's, careers for women - not so much. She proceeded to start her own business and even attempted to return back to school a couple times.

I'm am sure she has many exciting stories to tell. She is just one of those people that you know has had one full life.

When she was 60 years old she took her grandson white water rafting. She took tap dancing lessons just because she had always wanted to.

And this year, 54 years after she first began her college career, she graduated from college. Did I mention Magna Cum Laude? Wearing the yellow rope of honor all during her party, she beamed with pride. As well she should.

She has been in this area a little over 3 years and she had more friends at her party than most people would at 25 years in an area. Apparently, she makes friends easily. I know I found her to be a great delight.


So, how do we know Sandy? My husband is in Spinning class with her and many of their fellow Spinning classmates were there. Okay, aside from the fact, that I don't even look at anyone in my Spinning class for fear I might fall off the bike and be publicly humiliated, I am amazed at the little friendship this cycling class has built up. They even took a group photo.



She is a true example of living life. Living it fully. Aware. Alive. Laughing. Fun. Awake. Alert. I can only hope for as much at that age. Or at this age for that matter.

After I left that party, I wondered about how she must have felt as a young woman going off to college. Being excited at the prospect of doing what many women didn't do, but being pulled to do what most of them did. I wonder how her heart broke when the plan of a perfect marriage didn't work out. I pondered about how if she had just lamented about all the things that didn't work out in her life, how different a person she might be. How the lines in her face from her wide smile could have just as easily been those of bitterness. She made a choice. Her attitude to live life and not just muddle through was a choice. To take the things that didn't work out and let them birth into something else.


This morning while preparing for my bible study this week, I was reminded of the times I have decided a plan for my life. I try to set the wheels into motion to have life be exactly what I want.

Then I get a curve ball. Stuff happens. Life changes. I can't help but think about how many times I set up my plan without even consulting the great planner of the universe.

What does God think about all my big plans? And when I realize that my plans are not working out, how do I react? Am I open to the birth of something new and better or do I lament over the loss of my old plan?

It's my choice. I hope I choose to live my life fully... no matter what the plan.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.


Make it a great week, everyone!