…And One Door Opens. Yep, The Big Reveal.
Tue, Feb 22, 2011
Remember my last post about one door closing while another one opens? This one here. Well, I’m ready for the big reveal:
There is so much turmoil, for many of us, surrounding our figuring out what “God’s plan” for our lives entails. I have, on many occasions, called out to God and begged, “Just reveal your will for my life and I will do it. I’ll start tomorrow and I’ll be the best at it, just tell me what to do…” I am sure on those many occasions God was shaking his head and rolling his eyes at my arrogance.
God is always revealing his will, I just don’t, really, want to hear what he has to say unless it involves exactly what I want it to. Which rarely happens, so you think I would have caught on by now that God is not holding out on me. That very possibly I am holding out on God.
Well, this is only half true because, yes, I have called out to God, but I thought he had already answered me. What I should have realized is that I had “God’s plan” all planned out. My Plan A. Write a book directed at young girls and women, outlining my life experiences and how God had redeemed me through all of it. I knew exactly how I wanted it to go, what it would take to get there and what the outcome would be. (See the problem? A lot of I’s and me’s in those statements) It was a great plan and one I know God had me on, for a time. The only thing missing was understanding why God was having me go there.
I was spending so much time looking forward and beyond, I failed to look down and back to see the trail had been orchestrated step by step for God’s glory and not my own.
I won’t go into big details because it really just makes me look like an idiot. The cool thing is that as I look back on ‘ol Plan A, I see God’s healing hand and his intention and direction toward what I am now referring to as “My Open Door.”
Sidenote: Calling it Plan B instead of My Open Door would make more sense and it would keep the theme a little more congruent or Plan A should really be called My Closed Door, if I am now referring to my new plan as My Open Door…
Moving on.
A few weeks ago I had an inkling that became a nudging that has turned into a commission, of sorts. I heard “Any ambition, other than that for your family’s greater good, is dangerous.” I knew exactly what that meant. I love independence. I love being alone and doing my own thing. I love change and I love walking away never looking back. The bible is pretty clear that all of those things on a constant basis are, well, dangerous. Especially dangerous for me because I crave them.
If I continued on with my plan, I would be risking the well being of my family, not because my plan was not serving God and others, but because my plan was giving me those things that are most dangerous for me.
I talked to Danny and decided to put my focus on our family, use my gift of hospitality to serve others in our church by joining a new ministry that would allow me to use those skills. I decided to cut back on writing and walk away, completely, from my Plan A because God’s plan had already served it purpose. I felt great about it. I quit my job last year in pursuit of my Plan A so I have plenty of time during the day to pursue more domestic endeavors.
I still was not completely sure why God had put me on this domestic path but I felt very strongly that this is where he wanted me, for now.
I’m pretty sure I now know why.
A few days beyond my inkling and four store bought tests and one doctor test later I found out that I am pregnant.
No calling to move to Africa. No march on Washington. No commission to write for any other purpose than to heal. Just a call to, right now, have ambition for my family.
How’s that for a Plan B?
Tags: God's plan, Open Doors
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:41 am
Congratulations! You will love plan B
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:43 am
You’re having a baby! I’m excited to see the journey God has mapped out for you and your growing family.
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:46 am
Thanks Sarah!! I’m very excited.
Thanks Patti B! I think you are lovely.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 am
CONGRATLATIONS, Lori!!! Love how God works in truly unexpected and marvelous ways!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:13 am
Thanks Kristi! Very unexpected but very happy that God has chosen to take my family down this road.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:13 am
Thanks Kristi! Very unexpected but very happy that God has chosen to take my family down this road.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Wow!! That’s super exciting and very unexpected!! Congratulations!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Wow!! That’s super exciting and very unexpected!! Congratulations!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Congratulations Lori & Dan! I’m so happy for you!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:36 pm
YAY! Welcome in the Name of Jesus little one
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:56 pm
WHOA!!!! Congrats!
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Such a cool Plan B. Congratulations to all of you!
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Thanks so much guys. I absolutely love that it is not at all what I thought the plan was going to be and that God sooo had his own ideas for the next 18 years of my life. Crazy, crazy different ideas but I am so excited about it.
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Thanks so much guys. I absolutely love that it is not at all what I thought the plan was going to be and that God sooo had his own ideas for the next 18 years of my life. Crazy, crazy different ideas but I am so excited about it.
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:57 pm
What a fantastic way to say it all–congratulations to you and your family! Thanks for sharing, and thank you for sharing in such a wonderful way!
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:57 pm
What a fantastic way to say it all–congratulations to you and your family! Thanks for sharing, and thank you for sharing in such a wonderful way!
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Thanks Erin!!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:13 pm
Whoa! So NOT what I was expecting, but as you said so beautifully, God’s plan for us usually isn’t at all what we had planned. I am so excited for you guys! Congratulations!
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Robin, totally, huh? I have friends from high school that are already having grandbabies. This will definitely keep us young. Thanks!
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Robin, totally, huh? I have friends from high school that are already having grandbabies. This will definitely keep us young. Thanks!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
So excited for you! I applaud Plan B!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
So excited for you! I applaud Plan B!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Thanks Kelli!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Thanks Kelli!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:34 pm
This is very excited! We will defiantly be praying for you over the next few months (and years) let me know if there is anything you need to make life easier for you!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:34 pm
This is very excited! We will defiantly be praying for you over the next few months (and years) let me know if there is anything you need to make life easier for you!
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Thanks Rachel!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Thanks Rachel!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Congratulations, so happy for you!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:26 pm
Congratulations, so happy for you!!
February 23rd, 2011 at 6:34 am
LORI!!!!! You made me cry! My heart is just bursting for you!i never saw that coming, not until the words were read. I am soooo glad it’snot Africa! (or even GA for that matter) How freakin unbievable! I just keephearing thesong “our God is an awesome God…” I am so stinkin’ thrilled for you! <3
February 23rd, 2011 at 6:34 am
LORI!!!!! You made me cry! My heart is just bursting for you!i never saw that coming, not until the words were read. I am soooo glad it’snot Africa! (or even GA for that matter) How freakin unbievable! I just keephearing thesong “our God is an awesome God…” I am so stinkin’ thrilled for you! <3
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:18 am
Thanks Erika!!
Megan, one of the first things I thought of was, “well, I can go back to Stroller Strides now” heehee. Thanks. I knew you would be surprised!!
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:18 am
Thanks Erika!!
Megan, one of the first things I thought of was, “well, I can go back to Stroller Strides now” heehee. Thanks. I knew you would be surprised!!
February 27th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Congratulations–what a neat new open door.
I’ve given you a blog award at bekahcubed. You don’t have to feel obligated to “pick it up”, but please do feel honored. I love reading your blog!
February 27th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Congratulations–what a neat new open door.
I’ve given you a blog award at bekahcubed. You don’t have to feel obligated to “pick it up”, but please do feel honored. I love reading your blog!
February 27th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Thanks Bekah. It certainly is an honor!
February 27th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Thanks Bekah. It certainly is an honor!
March 4th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Its March 4 already and I heard about your pregnancy on facebook so I went looking for your blog! Yay! Here it is! I’m so glad you wrote this explanation just for me, er oh I guess others too, anyway, I know how attached you were to your plan A or now “closed door” I was concerned for you but I see I didn’t need to be! God has been taking care of you and bringing you along and preparing you as needed. Yay God! So glad he’s still in charge after all! As you look behind you, know that the slow prep work was for your benefit! So thankful God knows us better than we know ourselves and ohhh how gently he teaches! Its really not so much the opening and closing of doors that concerns us but the contentment that only he can provide and we fear wont happen unless its our own idea. So glad your fine and God has provided that contentment! Praying for you and the fam! Wish I could see you! Would love to have said this in person!
Love you!
Karyn
March 4th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Its March 4 already and I heard about your pregnancy on facebook so I went looking for your blog! Yay! Here it is! I’m so glad you wrote this explanation just for me, er oh I guess others too, anyway, I know how attached you were to your plan A or now “closed door” I was concerned for you but I see I didn’t need to be! God has been taking care of you and bringing you along and preparing you as needed. Yay God! So glad he’s still in charge after all! As you look behind you, know that the slow prep work was for your benefit! So thankful God knows us better than we know ourselves and ohhh how gently he teaches! Its really not so much the opening and closing of doors that concerns us but the contentment that only he can provide and we fear wont happen unless its our own idea. So glad your fine and God has provided that contentment! Praying for you and the fam! Wish I could see you! Would love to have said this in person!
Love you!
Karyn
March 15th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Thanks Karyn,
I just saw this today. I have been off my site due to ugly all day sickness and that last thing I have been wanting to do is think let alone write.
You are sweet and I love your heart. Thanks for your prayers. We need them right now.
March 15th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Thanks Karyn,
I just saw this today. I have been off my site due to ugly all day sickness and that last thing I have been wanting to do is think let alone write.
You are sweet and I love your heart. Thanks for your prayers. We need them right now.