itsawonderfilledlife

As the year is coming to an end, I am feeling the pressure of wanting to have a plan, a full-detailed plan, for 2017 …

I don’t have such a plan.

This year our oldest has completed her undergrad degree, and is now working in her field (and starting the process of paying off student loan debt … aka welcome to adulthood). She just moved out into her own cozy suite, leaving ours empty.

Our middle child completed her one year training program and is now working in her first career, while continuing education for the next one. She would love to move into an independent-living situation, but is trying to balance the desire for that and the desire to continue education, debt-free.

Our youngest is in his final year of high school, and is considering the options for the year after high school and contemplating what to do with his life in the future. He is learning about the value of work, and how good it feels to have a job.

We, as parents, are on the edge change.

Though we are investigating using our suite as rental income, we (and by ‘we’ I mean ‘I’) are also feeling this home and property are more effort than joy. We have a lovely swimming pool, which gave summer employment opportunities to our oldest who taught dozens of kids to swim … but it now sits quiet much of the summer (and eats up many dollars … that could go into travel).

I, too am contemplating the age-old question,

what am I going to do when I grow up?

Though I love my current job/career with all my heart, I feel there are strengths and abilities that have been waiting in a dormant state for the door of the cave to open, and bring light to their usefulness. Do I go back to school? What would I study? Do I simply look for employment in my field, or look in an entirely different area?

So many questions, so few answers.

I’m waiting, and I don’t have a plan.

Many years ago the Israelites had a plan, given to them by God, through the prophets. They were going to be saved, redeemed, by a king, appointed by God. They knew he was co ing, they just didn’t know when.

The problem was, their perception of the prophesy and its fulfillment were two very different things.

They had imagined a warrior, who old not just redeem, but elevate them. What they got was a baby, born into low circumstances, who would grow up to be the saviour of, not just the Jewish people, but of Gentiles as well (“he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” 1 John2:2).

We each may be waiting, and wondering how circumstances in our lives will turn out. We may be dealing with the struggle of not having a plan.

But, there is a plan. Though the plan we think we have might not turn out as we had intended, it will be good, for it comes from the giver of good gifts, for all who believe.