When Your Life Plan Goes in the Trash
"If you wanna hear God laugh, tell him your plans."-Iyanla Vanzant
dsc_0131
I'm a planner. I want all my ducks in a row, and I can get cranky if one steps out of line. But, I've come to learn, that plans are not all they are cracked up to be...my plans aren't anyway.
My master plan was in place. I'd get my bachelor's degree, meet the love of my life, go on to get my master's degree, and get married. Perhaps, I would get my doctorate, but if I didn't, I'd have a full-time job waiting for me upon graduating with my masters. I'd move out and get a place of my own. Then, set life to cruise control. Pretty good plan, huh?
My master plan is essentially non-existent now.
So, what happened? Why is my carefully designed life plan obsolete now? Because, it was MY plan, and as much effort, thought, and emotion went into that plan, it wasn't good enough. I just didn't know it.
I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, but how can you know exactly what you want when you don't know all the options? I thought I had the perfect plan, but I didn't. God did. He knew that there was a far better plan than the seemingly fabulous one I had concocted.
Don't get me wrong, God didn't do away with everything in my plan. I got my degrees. I met my man. The rest, though...well, let's just say when God heard my plans, he laughed and turned me down a different path.
Before graduating with my master's, I started panicking about getting a job. So, I began to scour the internet. I deliberated so hard about applying for several jobs, but ultimately, I just didn't. As May got closer, I got a job lead. I interviewed. I was offered the job-a full time job. A good job. But, instead of jumping up and down, I had a nagging feeling of doubt. I cried. I prayed. I talked it out with those closest to me. Then, I turned the full-time position down. I turned my back on my master plan, and I am so glad I did.
Since then, I have been given so many opportunities that have been the perfect fit for me... opportunities that I didn't know existed. Someone else did, though.
In the months since graduating, I have been asked countless times, "what are you doing now?" Good question. I'm teaching Presentational Speaking at my alma mater, Campbell University, a dream of mine since graduating there.
dsc_0152
I am also teaching Intro to Communications at Wilson Community College (yes, I drive a lot). I am Director of Engagement for NC Farm Families, where I fight for an industry that I love and combine my love of agriculture with communications (bonus: I've been on TV but my autographs aren't worth much).
14102239_638999876274864_5340313845982179213_n
I have also snagged several contract jobs--all with agricultural emphasis and communication. In case you were wondering, I'm balancing a total of 5 different jobs.
13567140_615525411955644_102647963652215287_n
The path I'm on is a tad unconventional, but it is perfect for me. Because of this path, I have a lot more flexibility. I have been able to attend so many of Isaac and Gideon's activities and competitions because of that flexibility. Because of this path, I didn't have to choose a career; I get to do several. I couldn't have chosen a better path for me. I didn't choose it, but then again, I didn't know it existed.
Come to find out, God knows me a lot better than I know myself. I'm doing everything I love. Does that mean this is what I'll do for the rest of my life? Not necessarily. I'm not going to make those plans, though. I already did that once. Apparently, I'm not as good of a planner as I thought. I will say, it drives me nuts, though. I'm a planner. So, not planning important things like my life, is hard. It takes a lot of trust, patience, and simply letting things go. That's how I got onto the path I am now.
I wasn't confident to make this step. It was scary as heck. I doubted--hardcore. I had told myself for so long what the plan was. It was hard to let MY master plan go, but I came to realize that the Master's plan is way better.