Getting older has taught me a lot of things so far. With managing many different activities, jobs, internships, and school, I finally got the hang of being organized. Took me long enough, huh?! In the last 2 years of being in grad school, I became such a PLANNER. No really, my Erin Condren planner became my new best friend. I was so proud of how organized I had become and looked forward to living each day (and life) that I had planned out. If you knew me at all in my first two years of college, then you know that this was a huge step for me. I just didn't really understand how to manage my time very well, haha but I was young! Before I knew it, I began planning everything. I was happy with planning, but it seemed like along the way, I forgot how to go with the flow and just live life. I have always been extremely goal-oriented, focused, and driven. When I see a goal I want to achieve, I go after it - full speed ahead. A few years ago, I decided that my next goal after college was to dance/cheer on a pro-team. I set my sights on the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders. Nashville seemed like it would be the perfect future home for me. I started preparing really early and even eliminated Chick-fil-A from my diet (if you know me then you definitely know how hard that was!). I began a 12 Week Bikini Body Training Program (Kayla Itsines' BBG), ate super healthy, and prepared in the best ways I knew how. I made it through the first two rounds of auditions, and I was definitely proud of myself for making it to Finals! I had been job searching daily and my mind was set that I was definitely moving to Nashville. My plans were going great so far. Final auditions flew by and I truly felt like I did my absolute best. When my number wasn't called for the final team, all the things I had planned for my future just disappeared into thin air. It took me a few hours to bounce back, but I remembered that I am not in control of my life. God is. As much as I wanted to be on the team, it just wasn't in God's plan for me at that moment in time. Trust that God's plan is better than yours. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. JEREMIAH 29:11 As the scripture teaches, God’s plans may not always be our plans, but He knows what He is doing, and we just have to trust in Him. I started to think back on some other times in my life I had been disappointed and remembered what successes came soon afterward. I didn't make the University of Tennessee dance team, but then went on to the University of Memphis, which turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. God had to say no to my plan, because he had something better planned for me. We all go through disappointments and struggles in life. If it wasn't for those hard times - we wouldn't be able to appreciate the good times! I'm still trying to figure out God's plans for me. While it's hard to take things day by day, He sure hasn't let me down yet, and I know He won't. Suffering: a disguise for a blessing. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ROMANS 5:3-5 Every struggle in your life, whether big or small, is something God will use to produce perseverance, strength, and faith in you if you let Him. I started writing this post tonight because I came home from a run and noticed that someone had backed into/scratched the side of my car sometime today. I got upset, which is normal. And it's okay to be upset. But I have to stop being so upset when things don't go my way, and I definitely have to stop being so upset at small little things (but darn those Memphis drivers!). I definitely need to work on leaving things in God's hands and not worrying and stressing so much! Writing has always been a sense of release for me, and I hope that this post can help someone who is going through struggles or someone who doesn't know where to turn when none of their plans work out. I can't wait to see how God will use me next!
2 Comments
|
About MeMy name is Lauren. Archives
September 2016
Categories
All
|