Footprints

A few short weeks ago I attended my last day of Cosmetology School.  I was so excited to finish up after a year and half but as I started to leave that last day I was scared.  I had this terrified feeling of what would come next.  People had been asking for weeks what my plans were and I calming explained I wasn't really sure what God was leading me to, but that day it kinda hit me....I had no idea what I would do next.  School has become a comfort zone for me so my initial reaction was I'll just enroll in another program.  But I realized I didn't want to take on more classes to continue to grow, I wanted that time to figure out what is suppose to come next.  With school I know I have a few semesters to figure things out....

.......How selfish I have been....

I have prayed for weeks and months, even years for God to show me the plan he has for my life and the first step of faith I was asked to step out on I started to run and hide.  I wanted more time so I could figure out what I thought should happen next and I could make that plan.

In looking to what will come next I have realized what my plan is.  I have no idea the plans God has for me I often try to plan them out and try to understand the different "dots" in my life that God has brought me through and how one day he will connect those dots.  I plan out what my husband will look like and what his profession will be and how many children we will have and what my life will be like... like I'm sure many people do.... 

But, my plan is for the footprints that I leave behind and how deep they will be.  I don't want to leave an impression that will only be washed away by the first wave that comes crashing in.  I want my steps to leave a deeper mark, a huge impact on the lives that God allows me to touch.  For that to happen I have to stop planning, we all know that when we make a plan God is really sitting above us saying... "that's cute that you think that's how this is going to play out but....not so much! I have something else for you."  I have come to realize that those moments when God completely changes my plans he always completely changes my life and allows me to leave those deep footprints behind.  

It's okay not to know what is coming next but we have to trust that no matter what happens whether it fits into the plans we have or not that God is holding onto us.  He never gives us more than we can handle and there is always a purpose; he is allowing us the opportunity to leave those footprints.  You never know who is watching those footprint that you are making or who might be following behind you trying to walk in those same footprints that you are making.  You are making a difference and an impact one step at the time.... how deep are your footprints?

Rain Drops

One of my favorite things to do is watch the rain come.  Sitting outside and watching as it gets closer and closer until finally I can hear the music of tiny drops playing on the roof.  On this rainy day as I watch the rain drops fall I'm reminded of a story one of our pastors told Sunday in his message.  He explained that when he was younger his mom would instruct him on things he shouldn't do and how that was for his protection, but because he disobeyed he suffered the consequences that came with those choices. 

How often in our own lives do we sit and look at the decision in front of us knowing in our hearts exactly what we need to do and instead do the opposite.  Knowing it is not the right choice but reasoning with ourselves that it will be okay and it's really not that big of a deal.... It's like knowing the storm is coming and instead of walking inside and watching the rain in the protection of our homes we stand outside and allow the water to cover us.  Playing in the rain seemed like a great idea until we stand completely soaked in our own selfish nature and in that moment we look up at the sky and wonder what we were thinking.

In Ephesians the Bible says...

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

God has provided the needed protection for us... He never sends the rain without providing an umbrella and rain boots. So trust him, follow him and know that in every situation whether we are faced with a decision or temptation that God has already provided a way out and the protection we need from the storm.