I am a planner. I have lots of ideas and people often ask me about health and homeschooling issues. I often think I should be a consultant…help other people plan and then they implement it. I plan well, but often fail to follow through because I always seem to have too much on my plate.. At Christmas time, I have even more plans.
Our Advent season is going much different than I had planned. If you have read any of my posts about Christmas and Advent, you know that I have lots of ideas and plans. We were doing well with our Advent devotionals and wreath, our Jesse Tree, and Advent stories. We were starting our Truth in Tinsel Advent study. I am even behind on reading our Christmas books from our collection.
Instead, I am sitting in a recliner trying to recover from kidney stones. After a night at the hospital in excruciating pain, I am resting, taking meds, and natural supplements for pain and to break up the stone and overcome the swelling taking place. (December 2011)
Update: (December 2011) – I still have kidney stones and have found out I have a lot of other infections that I am dealing with. (April 2012) Still have kidney stones and an occasional attack. Infections cleared up, just mainly aching.
We were supposed to be doing all kind of Christmas activities, decorating, baking, wrapping, and celebrating, in addition to homeschooling and normal life on the farm. Instead, I am looking around at a messy house that is not decorated at all. I do not have any decorations up, except the wreath the boys put on their door, along with our Advent Wreath and Jesse Tree that hasn’t been used in a few days.
We spent the majority of November traveling. Our house has been in a bit of a mess since our lives were turned upside down last November due to a family crisis. I have been trying to recover all year. Christmas last year was extremely difficult and I went through it in a fog. I had plans for Christmas to be much different this year.
Our attitudes and emotions are much better, but we are still trying to find our way. It is as though God is saying, “Rest, rest in Me“. I have spent so much time trying to find my way on my own and it doesn’t work. I fail. So, I have been forced to take a break and just sit. As I sit, I am contemplating what the Lord has for me in my home, family, and for my blog. I have been so busy “planning” that I have failed to cultivate my relationship with Him. A very wrong thing to do.
What should you do when your best laid plans fall apart?
1- Take a breather and reevaluate:
Step back, and examine your priorities. What are the most important things you should be doing? In the midst of all your plans, is your relationship with the Lord first? Do you have too many things planned? Are you keeping life as simple as you can during this busy season and keeping the focus where it needs to be? Don’t overplan…we can get too busy doing “good” things.
2- Allow others to help you:
I’m thankful for my husband who has been so sweet and caring, taking over for me, and making me rest. Mom has been so helpful with the boys. My sister-in-law has brought food and let the boys help decorate her house. I have had numerous friends and readers pray for me and that means so much. It is easy to try to take it all on your shoulders, but allow others to help you.
3-Be okay with not getting it all done:
It is okay if you don’t go to the parade or the live nativity this year. Sure, those are fun memories, but if it causes stress in your family, it isn’t worth it. Keep life simple and everyone will be happier. Often the best times are just sitting and reading a book or watching a family movie.
4-Don’t say yes to everything:
Be careful saying yes…even to good things. It is easy to get involved and commit to everything at church, in the community and even things you want to do in your own home with your family. It all takes planning and time. While they may all be good things…they can take away from time you just need to be a family. Guard your family. Guard your time.
5- Enjoy the time God has given you:
Every day is a gift. We often forget that. Enjoy the time you have. When I was in excruciating pain, wanting to/feeling like I was going to die, it causes you to see things in a different light. I want to make every moment count with my family. So many things aren’t important and I need to let those go and focus on the things that do matter.
6- Learn to roll with it:
For people who like to plan, this is not easy. When you like to plan, you don’t do well when things don’t go the way you intended. Life gets worse when things fall apart and then you have a sour attitude…grumpiness and pouting doesn’t help anything. I have had to learn to roll with it, don’t sweat the small stuff and make a new plan of action.
What has worked for you when things don’t go the way you plan?
With love,
Mary
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