After a particularly hectic week, shopping online in sweat pants was all my little heart desired for my rainy Friday night. Thus, this evening I found myself curled up on the couch and perusing the Stella & Dot website, clicking on sparkly necklaces and bangley bracelets. I don’t know if it was the sparkles or the bangles, but inspiration struck rather quickly. I should throw a jewelry party! Perfect. I envisioned rows of sparkly jewelry. A small group of close friends. Linen tablecloths. Glasses of chardonnay. Trays of miniature desserts and cheeses. I had it all planned out.
Then, Oprah spoke to me.
Ok, not really directly to me.But she did speak directly through my DVR. And God works all things together for good, right? Nevertheless, Oprah was in the middle of delivering a heartfelt speech on the importance of making a difference in the lives of others. Saving a puppy. Opening a soup kitchen. Mentoring a child. You know the drill.
Without warning, conviction set in. Darn you, Oprah Winfrey.
After a few brief moments of contemplation and repentance, my small jewelry party idea morphed into a charity event that even Oprah herself would be proud of. There would be vendors, sponsors, a local celebrity to emcee (hopefully Paul McDonald), and a hefty percentage of ticket sales benefitting an immensely worthwhile cause—either feeding hungry orphans or ending sex trafficking. The jury’s still out.
Suddenly, a Food Network special on pie appeared on the television screen! Cherry pie. Pecan pie. Shepherd’s pie. While a normal person could glance up at the television, note the delicious pies, and return to the task at hand, I happen to be a slightly abnormal person who loves delicious pies of any variety and finds it difficult to focus on any task when baked goods enter the picture.
So sue me.
Before I knew it, my best-laid charity event plans were temporarily on hold (call me, Paul!) and I began taking notes on New York City’s most popular bakeries.
Bottom line: I may be losing my mind.
Just kidding.
Bottom bottom line: I like to daydream. I have a lot of goals and a growing list of interests, which can feel a little overwhelming at times because so much of life in your twenties is “to be determined.” You haven’t figured out your dream career, you haven’t found the perfect guy, and plan all you want, God’s the One in control and His plans will always trump yours. But you have a choice: you can either resent your ambiguous future or embrace the blank slate that is your life and actively wait for God’s perfect timing.
I’m giving the latter a try. So in the meantime, I’m going to embrace my blank slate, host some parties, attempt to do some good, and eat some pie.
…and maybe gaze at this picture of Paul McDonald just a little bit longer.
Amen.
Love this….always need to be reminded that “God’s the One in control and His plans will always trump yours”! You are beautiful, and I love you!!
I’m so happy to have you in my life! I love your passion, humor, and growing openness to all God could/might/will do through you. I also love Paul.