When I was about 10 years old, I decided it would be a good thing to have a slumber party one Friday night.
I invited about 10 of my school pals, and their moms dropped them off at our house, sleeping bags in tow, ready for a great time...
But I forgot to ask or even mention it to my parents...
My dad was out of town, and my mom was scheduled to leave for a women's conference where she would be the speaker.
I don't remember what my punishment was, but I do remember that my mom drove every single girl back to their homes, explained to their mother's, and then came home to deal with me!
Have you ever gotten ahead of yourself? or worse... ahead of God?
We can't just decide to 'call a party', and expect Him to bless the whole thing, and to provide for all the details that make a party special... without asking Him first.
He may have some very good reasons for such a party not to happen, one of which might be that He won't be present to host it. (Even though He is with us always, there are times when He is quiet.)
Our bright ideas don't always mean that He will go along with us. He might even like the idea, but wants it to be at another time. Or... He might know that the whole idea is just wrong for us.
When HE calls the party, it is always right.
"Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word." (Prov.16:1)
23 comments:
Oh too cute...and so much like my daughter...such tenacity!! Yes I think I forget to invite Him to the party at times...then when I see Him there I realize that without Him there never is a party. I so need to not get ahead of myself and also allow Him to turn something into a party that I might think was something else...didn't the Jews celebrate a lot???
Well Dallas had a wonderful celebration yesterday!!!
Smiling on this one Sonja. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
Dear Sonja,
It seems that when I'm in agony and take a tour to my sisters, I always find some food for my soul. Today I am not satisfied with the way things have developed for my mother.
My bro and I have been working since Easter trying to get better help for our Mom.
Today was the (seemingly) final defeat.
Now I just have to wait and see what better plans our Lord has in store for my Mom.
And yes, we have been praying, all of us, all the time.
"Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word."
I rest my case, and beg God not to rest, not for a split second.
From Felisol
I love this story...It's so like something I would have done....always taking things into my own hands.....Thank goodness God knows His sheep and His sheep know His voice...but I am sorry to say I hear Him I often just don't want to obey so I play like I don't listen like He doesn't know.....What a silly girl I can be.....His way is always better and His parties more fun so I am surely learning to want His will more than mine......I am living proof He is a patient and loving Father.....
I hope you have a wonderful weekend...
Hugs and blessings,
Nancy
I really enjoyed this one, Sonja. So
sweet and so true. I want Him to call
all of my parties.
Hugs,
Sandy
You took a cute childhood story and brought it right on around to a great message. Obviously, you are a chip off of your parents' block.
It's so hard to have what you think is an "inspired" idea only to find that God didn't plan the party. It has happened to me.
This was a good story...and how true it can be of all of us at times as well. It is easy to get ahead of the Lord, especially when we are doing something we know He'd be happy with....but how foolish really. How much better off we are when we realize the party NEVER really starts till He arrives! Have a wonderful week-end. HUGS
Wow ~ Sonja!~ What a MOM -- good for her!! I wish more mothers would not cater to their children's every whim but hold fast to the truths in His Word and hold on to discipline -- which is LOVE!! Look how well YOU turned out because of this --- wow --- such a wonderful story and message! Asking the Father FIRST saves us a lot of trouble and heartache -- and doing what He says and going where He says to go and not doing what He says not to do! All for our good and for His Glory!
thanks for stopping by just to say "hi"! You are right -- I'm heavy into teaching right now and writing my Monday night Bible study as God has given it --- Called: TOOLS of the TRADE! God is doing amazing things among us in just a 4 week study [which will pan out to 6 weeks the next time!!] We have 29 ladies that night here at Shepherd's Walk! God is so good to meet us right where we are and give us the tools for everyday life -- tools that make our faith walk attainable!!! I love His Word and I love to share what He's taught me --bottom line!! Also teaching Wed. nights here - my 10th Believing God Bible study! I will teach that one til the day I go home with Jesus because He redeemed my life through it!
You are a blessing and I pray for you often as your name comes up on my 20-page prayer list!!!
Thanks for sharing the heart of this post! We can glean much from it!
Choosing JOY in this season,
Stephanie
AND THAT....is the truth. Boy have I LEARNED THE HARD WAY! I remember getting myself into a mess, and the very first thing or rather WORD that kept coming into my head was QUAGMIRE. That word kept coming into my head and though I knew what it meant, I had not particularly come across it at that time. Later on, as my self-made problem began to snowball, I understood that God was telling me I was digging a big hole for myself. He eventually pulled me out, but not without embarrassing and life-lesson consequences. AND THANK YOU FOR COMING MY DEAR FRIEND! Your words are kind and give me encouragement that MAYBE...MAYBE I can write to achieve my goal: TO COMMUNICATE POETRY to my readers. CARRY ON!!!! Anita
What a great message in this adorable story, Sonja! Yes, I've so often planned ahead of God - it doesn't work if He doesn't show up. And all too often, I miss the party He has planned for me because I'm whining about NOT having the one that I planned for myself ("It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...)
My grandfather used to always finish his plans with the words "God willing." I used to think it was like his little motto or something, like "Knock on wood." As I got older, I realized the truth behind it. My grandfather totally relied on the plans and purposes of God. Sounds like a great plan...
GOD BLESS!
I can only imagine your mom driving to each girl's home like that. But I can have a tendency to get ahead of God and ...make my own plans. However, going through the recent trials I'm learning and don't do that much anymore. But I will always have to remember to lean on Him and move at His pace and in His Way. It's the Only Way to have peace in the midst of this life on earth.
Love you my wise sis,
Debbie
What a clever, fun way to relate to such a serious truth. I can tell you were an adorable child and now you are an adorable adult. It is so easy to get ahead of ourselves with our great ideas.
Oh, my...a tough lesson to learn, but I had to chuckle over what you did! Lessons learned in that manner are never easy, but they make a lasting impression, don't they?!;-)
Oh, yes, I have gotten ahead of myself before, then when I got into trouble would ask God to "bless my mess." He never leaves us or forsakes us. We're the ones who step away and try to do things on our own. I'm so glad he isn't finished with me, yet! :-)
Your party that wasn't reminds me of a line from the C.S.Lewis book, That Hideous Strength, wherein Dr. Ransom, a type of saviour-figure tells his followers:
"You have done what was required of you, you have obeyed and waited. It will often happen like that."
Yep - sometimes when we are "ready to party" the Lord says, "Not right now. Your assignment is to obey and wait." Not easy.
blessings to you - Marsha
Oh Sonja,
I bet you were so sad. But , yes I have gotten myself into situations like that. I am a good one for making plans that include hubby and then telling him .... when I should be asking him. Same thing with God. I will make that a personal goal to ask first with all.
Blessings to you!
Oh Sonja, I'll bet that your party would have been great fun!!! God's party - love that image, and just think...we are all invited!!!
Andie
My youngest daughter often fails to tell me about her plans until the last minute. I've never had a group of girls show up at the house that I had to drive home, but I've broken her heart a few times having to say no to her plans.
A great story Sonja, and you have brought it around perfectly to making sure we don't get ahead of what God wants in our life. We have to learn patience and wait for His invitation on everything.
I can onlu imagine the look on your Mom's face when whe saw all those girls with the sleeping bags.
Have a sweet week!
Mimi
what a great story! you were very precocious, huh?
i bet the little girls were disappointed, which may
have been your punishment.
speaking of parties, He is planning a huge banquet!
Oh, I like this one! It sounds so like something I'd have done :)
Yes ... I make many plans, and they often go awry. Not so - or at least not so likely - when I wait upon the Lord.
Great story...Love it....and just what I needed this afternoon
Such a wonderful story (wow, your mom took all those girls home, good for her)
How often we run ahead and then expect God to follow. Would be a lot easier if we would just wait on him...thanks for this post
Lovely blog...lovely post!
I'm so happy to have stumbled upon you today!
I'm your newest follower!
--Lee Ann
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