Plans

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I’m going to be really honest with y’all.

Growing up, I thought my life was going to have played out a lot differently by now.

I thought I was going to be married at 22, first kid at 23, and…I wanted ten…so…you do the math.

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I know. I know. I had high ambitions for my womb at a tender young age.

But it’s true.

Sitting here as a twenty-something, single, watching The Bachelorette while drinking in my sweatpants and catching myself literally smiling to myself and touching my cheek when my boy Jordan Rodgers comes on the screen…

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…I have to step back and simply shake my head.

My life thus far, has taken some pretty major detours, to put it mildly.

Battling anorexia through high school. And then having an Ulcerative Colitis flare for an entire year, resulting in having to move home and be on bed rest for 11 months…let’s just say my adulthood thus far hasn’t been the walk in the park I had envisioned.

And I promise, this is no “Woah is me” post…But the fact is, my life has had a couple of false starts. Hiccups if you will.


But I had a night this week where I just got really down, thinking about the “could have beens” and the “would have/should have beens.” 

Which, let me just say, is a very dangerous game to play.

Don’t go there, guuurlfriend!

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But seriously. My chest tightened, and I got almost short of breath, thinking about those things. I was getting panicky. And frankly, angry.

Why hasn’t this happened yet? When am I going to meet someone? What if I never meet someone? Will my life be a failure? Am I a failure?

Like I said….it is a dangerous game. Gets dark real quick.

So what did I do to get out of this funk?

Well, naturally……………….I turned to Twitter.

I was scrolling through tweets about Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Donald Trump, Gorilla Kid, Donald Trump, Beyonce, Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian…

…and then –BAM — I came across this retweeted gem:

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Y’all. The Pope has a freaking Twitter.

I know.

I don’t care how you feel about the Pope. That is baller.

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But seriously, how is it that God always finds a way to encourage His children?

There is no technological interface that He can’t infiltrate. 🙂

But all kidding aside, this was exactly what I needed to hear:

Jesus, I trust in You.

Everything I’ve gone through, all the detours and restarts and … periods of stupidity growth opportunities – God is using all of that for good.

He has a plan. A good plan. A plan that most likely looks nothing like my plan.

Clearly not the plan my fourth grade self had for twenty-something me.

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Yikes.

But that is what I need to cling to. To keep my hope in. To focus my eyes on.

So, maybe I won’t be gettin’ hitched and poppin’ out kids just yet.

That’s okay.

I need to be patient and trust in His divine timing. His will for my life. His plan.

Now is the time for me to take a deep breath and say, “Jesus, I trust in You.”


Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. 

There it is, plain as day.

The could’a-would’a-should’a’s — I have no reason to worry or be afraid or get all verklempt.

Everything is playing out just as it should.


Jeremiah 29:11 “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.”

I’ll hang my hat on that.

Jesus, I trust in You.



 

 

 

 

 

 

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

351 thoughts on “Plans”

  1. and how true everything you’ve said here is.. we must trust that everything happens for a reason and that reason is much much better than what we can comprehend. i love your thoughts and the positivity it contains. keep it up.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. God gave me my husband as soon as I stopped looking. Sometimes you can be proactive in a bad way which can slow the process down. Everything in God’s timing! Just being friendly to the people you meet and being open to what God has in mind. God will show the person meant for you. Though I understand that a person who just sits in their home all day is going to have a harder time meeting someone than one who is out and about. However, I don’t believe that Beauty is a sit at home and do nothing person.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. You are so funny, your posts really make me smile. Thanks for being frank about your struggles as we can all relate about not being delighted by the way things haven’t gone ‘our’ way. We are all such children!! Truth is God is our Father who knows best and we need to be reminded of that constantly.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. In the greater scheme of things, with this life being but a trip in a long journey, we don’t always get what we want. But we always get what we need. We hardly ever know what we truly need, but we usually know what we want.
    The moments in which “what we need” is the same as “what we want”, we feel truly happy. I wish there would be more of those moments…

    As always, I truly enjoyed reading your post – Thank you!

    Liked by 3 people

  10. Yesterday my devotional said: “faith says, “even when things don’t go my way, I’m still going to trust you Lord.” He has a plan! Isaiah 55:8-9″ I read that this morning and started to pray about it then I read your post.. Thank you for being obedient and allowing God to use you to gently remind me that He’s got this and he always has, even before I knew that I’d be where I am

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  11. This is why I love this Pope (despite not being Roman Catholic!) Thanks for quoting his tweet – I think I might follow his account! (Apparently his weekly homilies are excellent, too.)
    And that’s a great verse from the Psalms: Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me!” I find it even more useful to think of Him having a purpose that He will fulfill than a specific plan which I could mess up! I can’t mess up a purpose and if I screw up one plan to get there, then He’s always got another.
    Not an excuse, but it sure takes the pressure off!
    Hugs and love,
    Stephen xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Dear Beauty,
    As a follower of your blog I read your posts with the understanding of the tremendous battles you’ve faced in your life. Overcoming your struggles I applaud you. It takes guts and perseverance to make it happen. However, after reading your post today may I humbly submit there is one resource you might be overlooking when fighting the good fight. You mentioned going to Twitter to get you out of your funk.
    Instead of depending on what man has to offer, why not consider prayer and reading the bible. I think you will agree there is a gold mine of “pick me ups” located within those pages.
    If you already do what I’ve suggested here, then, please forgive me and disregard all I’ve shared with you above. Blessings to you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Russ! Thank you so much! I so appreciate your readership and thoughtful words. You’re so right about turning to God’s Word. And to be completely transparent, I only said the thing about Twitter to be funny. Haha I had come across the popes tweet and wanted to talk about it. But you’re spot on – God’s word and prayer is the best comfort and source of truth. Thanks again for reading and your support! Hugs and love xox

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      2. Just saw my spelling error…oops! should say “new” not “knew”, I am good with agreeing to disagree. Makes for good relationships with my fellow humans. I am glad for what we do agree on.

        Liked by 1 person

      11. Now I see the smiley face and hearts, but when wordpress sent it to me on the bell notifications it had a bunch of blocks like … and a tiny tiny unhappy face. When I go to your site, I see the hearts and smiley face!

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  14. Wonderfully written! I can so relate to this post and I believe anyone, no matter what their circumstances can see a new perspective through your words. Thank you for reminding me to trust the process and the One who runs the show. It is all in His time, not mine. Great reminder. With your permission, I’d love to reblog this on my website, http://www.trippingthrurecovery.com. Thanks again for starting my Friday off with new hope. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  17. This gave me a funny thought…when I was a teenager I was sure I would die at age 30 because after all, I would be finished with college by then, and would probably be bored having done all the things that most people did…I was convinced since I wasn’t allowed to date as a teenager, and no one was interested in me anyway…that I probably would never meet anyone to marry. At that point, I think I did not realize the power of being and adult and being able to explore the world that God made…there are so many things to do and learn about that one life time is not enough to do them all. God made such an endlessly interesting place. Enjoy it while you wait for his plan for you to unfold before you eyes.

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    1. Thank you so much! You’re so right. It takes so much courage to trust when things don’t go as planned. But that’s when we just have to remember that he is in control and only wants the best for us. Hugs and love xox

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  20. Disappointment is GOD’s appointment. Keep strong in the faith and by surrendering up TOTALLY your will and exchanging it for what GOD wants (which one recognizes only moment by moment as GOD unfolds things and the events happen with our of course free will in choosing anything that would lead to RIGHTEOUSNESS in GOD’s eyes, then your heading up the narrow path with great prospects before you dear friend. Hang in tight with prayer and tears and joy in the HOPE of a wonderful existence with Jesus by or side. The best comes to those who wait even if the wait is till we get to the other side. Stay positive and let GOD’s will become yours and then one knows what truly is or isn’t GOD’s will, well you learn to have completely no say in what you would prefer in matters of human-ness. I wish you much strengths from above to overcome … it will be SOOOOO worth it 🙂 1 Cor. 2:9 – But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”. GOD bless.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. This was a great article to read this morning. I love your stuff! You are such an inspiration to me, and the pictures always make me smile 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Hey! So a few years back I had the perfect life, engaged to a handsome intelligent man who loved me, satisfied at work, huge paycheck and even a sportscar. Then the BD hit… I lost everything except my husband. I was ahead in the race to the picture perfect life, but now all our friends have overtaken us and we are left behind. BUT God showed me that I am on a DIFFeRENT path. not your usual get married, get kids, get rich, get, get, get path. But He promised me that my path has been beautifully woven together to fit me perfectly and satisfy all my desires and surpass my dreams. So I trust and wait. He will perfect that which concerns me. 🙂

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    1. Thank you for sharing this Nina. I’m sorry that you’ve had to endure that. But what a beautiful perspective to have. Your faith is inspiring. You’re so right-trusting and waiting is so hard but so worth it. Sending you a big big hug.

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  23. How often have I bemoaned my real life for this imaginary fairy tale in my head! I have struggled most of my life with low self-esteem and depression. I discovered it has to do with my view of myself and my view of God. I didn’t fully understand grace, which is hard to believe since I grew up in a Christian home. Anyway, I just wanted to share with you my struggle in my marriage. I thought it would complete me and “make me happy”. When you idolize something it has to fall. So recently, I looked up the patron saint of lost causes and I found St. Rita and her celebration day was actually my anniversary May 22. When I read her bio it touched me because it showed me that we are NOT guaranteed what we want on earth and many other people go through suffering. She had a rough marriage and an open wound on her head! She did get one thing she wanted in the end, to be accept into a convent. It really encouraged me.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Dearest BBB,

    There’s an old, oft-stated in a variety of ways. The gist. Humans plan and God laughs. The good news, I believe, particularly in light and in keeping with your faith that trusts Jesus, is that the divine laughter signals something greater, more wondrous in store for us than, as an old prayer says, we can ask or imagine. I pray that will be – and as God wills it, it already is and simply, profoundly remains yet to be revealed fully – for you.

    All that said, I also believe that all of us walk around with our dreams in heart and and our hopes in hand; our wonderments about our great futures, even if “future” is but the next day. As I look (back) at my life, much of what I pictured didn’t, hasn’t come to pass. And in my reflections, much of the time, truth to tell, some of what I imagined is less than what I have in my being and becoming now.

    And all that said, a friend recently asked me, “Paul, if you could invite one guest to dinner who would it be? I told her, “Me, at the age of twenty.” For I’d love to have a conversation with that young man, not only to speak, giving counsel from my viewpoint 40+ years later, but also – perhaps more – to listen to that young man’s musing, dreaming, wishing, wondering, hoping.”

    Finally (for now!), all this said, I trust Jesus, too.

    Much love and peace and power in believing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Paul! Thank you for this insightful reflection. I love that saying. You’re right he definitely must laugh when he hears our plans! Amen to that. We just have to trust and remember whose hands we’re in. Hugs and love xox

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  25. I really enjoyed this post! Thanks for sharing.
    On a separate note, I tagged you in a Get To Know You Tag challenge that I posted last night. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  28. There is indeed a plan, and His is ALWAYS better than ours even when we can’t see it. I totally agree with you – the ‘woulda/coulda/shoulda’ is a very dangerous game indeed, but look how it has led you back to the Lord. Stay focused on Him. God bless you xxxx

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  32. I’m so glad you heard what you needed to hear to pull out of that funk! I know you hope to have a long marriage as I do, someday, and I know you will.

    Imagine how I felt in front of my TV, watching Tom Hanks get his lifetime achievement award at the Kennedy Center. It was depressing. But if I’d had that, I wouldn’t have my Joobie and girls. Sometimes this just takes a while to play out.

    And isn’t it odd; you in your youth have a hard time dealing with it because you are anxious. You don’t have the perspective of age. Here I am in my age, having a hard time reminding myself of the perspective I should have!

    You are always a good read and elicit good reflections! Thank you!

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    1. Hi Jeffrey! Oh thank you so much! I always look forward to your insight:) you’re right-it’s funny how things play out. He always knows what we need and has the best in store for us. And that was your family:) sending big hugs to you Jeff! Have a great weekend! Xox

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  33. So funny, yet so serious. The perfect blogging match! If it’s any consolation, I think a lot of us go ‘Seriously God, are you pranking me right now???’ at (really frequent lol) stages throughout our years (or day). But you’re right. Sitting back and going ‘OK Jesus, I know you’ve got this’ is the answer. Often followed by ‘But imma going to swear for a bit right now, k?’

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  35. Awwww hugs and laughs with this one ….yep …I said it before …we’re ALL a work in progress … and yep …just when we start going down that negative path …CHIIING ….and we’re OK again:):):):):):)

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    1. Hi Fijay! You’re so sweet. Thanks love! Amen to that-we are all defffffinitely a work in progress and gosh doesn’t that take the pressure off? 🙂 haha thanks for stopping by! I love seeing your face pop up on my feed! Hugs and love xox

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  37. Good plan. God knows us better than we know ourselves. We start by being open, receptive, willing to know and live God’s plan for our lives. Then, trusting in him to reveal all that! And he does. We learn PATIENCE along the way. Big time. I know. ((((hugs)))))

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  38. This is beautiful and I can totally relate. I wanted to graduate from college at 21 and have kids at a younger age. I used to feel left behind as I watched my friends and acquaintances get engaged, married, and have kids… And here I am nearly 30… I have learned to realize that everything is happening the way it is supposed to and it will happen when the time is right! xoxoxo

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  39. I used to worry a lot. Made plans like I was going to live a long time. But realized I didn’t know when I’ll go. Now I live in the “now”. Showered by His grace and love. Hope I’m making sense. 💕

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  42. It’s so true, we can plan and plan and plan all we want but God is the best of planners. Sometimes He takes everyone and everything out of our lives so that we can focus on Him. I hope that all of your prayers are answered and you get to exactly where you want to be =).

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  43. Thanks for sharing this! Reminds me of the following passage:

    James 4: 13 Pay attention to this! You’re saying, “Today or tomorrow we will go into some city, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money.” 14 You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. 15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.”

    It appeals to me, though I (and many others) have difficulty saying this from my heart and to truly trust Jesus.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Davinia. Thank you for sharing that passage. So powerful. You’re right-when it comes right down to it, it’s hard to let go and trust Him. But that’s where freedom lies! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Yes, I do 😉 Anywho, it’s a journey. Step by step. It seems so easy to trust if you see a child trusting her/his dad. It comes naturally. With God it is quite different (at least that’s my experience). I wish we all could be more like that child!

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  44. Nice done. Life-wise I’m in a very similar space (hmmm…might be one reason why I followed you 🙂 !) Life as I expected it…yeah, not so much. Divorce, loss of daughter, career topping-out, faith struggles, aging…ugh.

    Going through my divorce, I hung onto Jeremiah. That hope was somewhat tainted by a minister who preached on how that was specific to the Jews at a particular time in history. I’m not sure I agree with him, but that’s still yet another part of my journey, figuring out how I relate to God through my own life and filter, and not through the dogma of the centuries…or the past decades of political christianity (not capitalized on purpose).

    As if you weren’t aware of it, in a sense you have hundreds of children. They didn’t, fortunately, come from a womb 😀 They were born through your heart and mind, are the followers who hear your thoughts, your struggles, your faith, and use it to move their own lives along. You don’t see them, you don’t touch them physically, but you do impact them.

    You are (through the distance of the electrons) a bright, beautiful, giving soul. Remember that. Keep skipping forward –lighthearted, joyful, shining — and by grace may God show you the blessings that are unexpected but a result of what you have been through.

    cheers!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Jeff, thank you so much for sharing this. I’m sorry you’ve had to endure those things. Sending you a big hug through the computer. That’s such a beautiful and powerful perspective to have. And thanks for this encouragement too. It has really touched my heart this morning. Grateful for you, friend. Hugs and love xox

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  47. Awesome post! It’s funny that I’ve been thinking some of those same things about my life (the should have’s and might have been’s), thinking that maybe my life really wasn’t all that great. I try to keep a positive outlook and trust in Jesus, but it’s always great to see it confirmed!! Thanks for that! 🙂

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  48. That is just one tweet of his, most of his tweets are utter rubbish, and quite a few are actually false teaching.

    Your so called pope is a Jesuit, and a liar..

    May I suggest that you put your faith in Jesus Christ, rather than what the so called pope says..Math 23v9 KJV

    You need to leave that catholic cult, and get saved, ask the Lord Jesus Christ into your life..
    I know my comment is not 100% relevant to your post..hope you will excuse that ?

    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hello friend. I can sense the anger in your post. I’m sorry that you feel that way. I absolutely love my faith and have grown so much in my relationship with Jesus. He is the One I follow. I have asked Him into my life and am saved. Since I was 7. The pope, as with all humans, is merely that-human. Fallen people. I do not worship the pope, but am inspired by his faith in Jesus. He is not claiming to be God or Jesus, he is simply pointing the way to Jesus. Shepherding people to Christ, just as any pastor or preacher does. The Pope just has a slightly larger platform. Anywho, I hope I don’t sound negative, I truly am not intending to. I’m just standing up for my faith. I have never and will never impose what I believe on anyone else-I respect all faiths and religions and beliefs no matter what, as I think I have demonstrated. I am just here to encourage and offer hope to others. Again, thank you for sharing your perspective. But I will stand up for myself. God bless you. Hugs

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      1. He is NOT pointing the way to Jesus at all, not in any way.
        He may have made some tweets, that sound Christian, but this is very rare indeed.

        I am frankly bored with catholics, falsely accusing me of being angry, or a hater, when I contradict their dogmas,so called doctrines, etc…
        I do not hate any catholics,and I am certainly not angry.

        that Jesuit in the vatican is deceiving you Mister/Missus..and I really would encourage you to get hold of a Bible somewhere, a KJV, and read for yourself..
        You will find that catholic dogma is not found in Scripture.

        I have tried to tell you, up to you what you do.

        I am genuinely trying to help you.
        I gave up on subtlety a month or two ago.

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      4. I do, friend. Thanks:) it’s my favorite book! ❤️❤️❤️🙏 and you’re right-faith is not about feelings. So true! I wrote a post about that-mountain top feeling if you feel like reading it:) sending you a big hug xox

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  49. A firm belief in God’s declaration of, “I know my thoughts for you…” is all one needs to be rest assured in Jesus; and there’s no wonder why you are BeautyBeyondBones. God’s word is the best place to hang all one’s hopes. The God who took care of His child on six occasions, anorexia inclusive, will definitely not abandon his child on the seventh occasion. This post is so inspirational. I have no choice but to love you and your work. Keep the faith flying higher and higher. Amen.

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    1. Thank you so much for this beautiful reflection. Amen to that – dwelling in His word brings so much comfort and peace. I just want you to know how much your support and encouragement and kindness mean to me, H.O. You are a blessing. Hugs and love to you friend xox

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