“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans…
I’ve waited patiently for three years (ok, not so patiently) to enroll in Bible college. I’ve wanted to transform myself from the uneducated hack to the educated hack. It’s taken this long for the finances and timing to be just right. Finally I was able to enroll at Liberty University in a two-year program to receive a diploma in Biblical studies; I also decided to take a hermeneutics elective. Once the transaction was completed, confirmation in hand, I was overwhelmed with excitement.
Then the door-bell rang.
Oh right, the home-school curriculum for my daughter arrived.
As I pulled out the books, manuals, instructions, and lesson plans I was overwhelmed. “Many are the plans” sang ominously through my head. Indeed. I was planning on spending the day finishing my other year-long course in journalism. I had one lesson left and was super-pumped to complete it. Searching through the instructions, guides, manuals and products-to-buy lists included in the box of curriculum materials, I realized it would take at least 3-5 days to sort through it and develop an organized lesson plan. Whoever thinks home-schooling is easy, or lazy, or whatever, they are sadly mistaken. It’s like being a “real” teacher minus the pay (when done appropriately).
Many are the plans…
On top of home-schooling and being a student myself, I was reminded of all the things I still had “to do”. The list was endless.
A 45,000 word manuscript to finish before Novemeber’s conference; 6 books to read and review in the next month; articles to write for two different websites (besides this blog); a backyard landscaping project; church ministries and other activities…my head was spinning. Oh, and I almost forgot, there is approximately 500lbs of dog poop (a rough estimate) in the yard calling out to me, “Scoop! Scoop!”
So so so many are the plans…
But—it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. I can make all the plans I want, I can sign up for every ministry, activity, conference or course but it is only through God that my plans prosper. If indeed they are HIS plans. Otherwise, I don’t have a prayer.
So, this morning I found myself taking a step back. Instead of attacking my “to-do” list, I listened to Psalm 118-119 on audio, read from Isaiah, and spent some quiet time with God asking Him what HIS plans were.
My new plan consisted of listening to the Holy Spirit as he guided each step of the day. I pray the Lord’s purpose prevail in each moment of each day of my life for His glory and my freedom.
Lord, I want your plans and purposes for my life. Thank you for providing wonderful opportunities, answering prayer, and giving me the desires of my heart. Keep my eyes focused on you every minute of every day. Let your plans alone prevail over my life.
I loved your post. It took me back to the crossroads of seminary and homeschooling. Ah, those were the days.
That is SUCH an important concept to grasp, especially when homeschooling. Otherwise you’ll be burned out right around the time you really have to step it up and start challenging a teenager! (Ahem… not that I would know this by experience… or anything)
Julia, I was counting on you to comment!! 🙂 I’m just trying to get organized right now. Managed to get a month of lesson plans done. I think that’s as far as I’ll go for now. Its hard to balance all this!
A month of plans is good — don’t try to plan more than that at a time because you need room to adjust as life happens. 🙂 In fact, one veteran homeschooler (with 8 kids) says she only does 2 weeks at a time. I figure she should know what works! And don’t forget that just because you’re “home”, you’re not really “home.” I.e. your friends may think you’re available for visits, phone calls etc. but you’re not — you have a job to do, so don’t feel guilty about not taking calls. If you don’t consider homeschooling your “full-time job,” it will get marginalized and fall between the cracks of everything else everyone wants you to do. Okay, getting off my soap box now. 🙂
This is exactly what we’ve planned! We’re treating it like a regular school. She goes to bed earlier, wakes up and gets ready and has a day of school like anyone else. Definitely no phone calls. But I already work from home so I’m used to ignoring the phone! I’ve got music and PE planned too. (But not too much obviously)I’ve scheduled her vacation days to be similar to those of the schools here too.