A box of chocolate...

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know whatcha gonna get. “

This blog will have 2 applications of this quote.  Practical and personal. 

Let’s begin with this:  Chocolate.  It is no doubt one of the greatest things God has ever given us.  I rank chocolate up there with  family, friends, sweatpants, and Friends (the TV show). 

With that being said, boxed chocolates are the best thing and the worst thing all at the same time.  On one hand, you have the most delicious chocolate coated almonds, chocolates filled with toffee, and my personal favorite, cherry cordials.  On the other hand, you have chocolates filled with the mysterious berry (vomit) paste.  It’s repulsive.  You never know it’s coming, unless you try to use that impossible treasure map that comes in the box, and then BAM – disgusting.  

Now that my chocolate rant is over…

This quote is a pretty accurate description of our life lately. We never know what is coming next…  Please pardon my pessimism for a moment (I promise the optimism is coming).  The job searching for Drew has been disheartening and exhausting.  Part of the exhaustion comes from the lack of response, the other comes from trying to force ourselves to be optimistic about it.  At the end of the day – it just sucks.  In addition to the job search, we have also been dealing with some unexpected financial issues (those are always fun).  Here comes the cherry-on-top, last week I got hit by a guy running a red light.  I tried to be the nice girl who lets the guy to court which he is running late for (yes, he even showed me the court documents), and what happens? He lies.  He denies running a red light.  Which means…. I have to pay to get my car fixed, instead of him.  Grrr L

If you are reading this right now , you’re probably thinking “this is depressing, can you please write about something happy,” …here it comes J

In the midst of all the frustration and pessimism I hear God saying “SURRENDER!” It’s a struggle for me, because I am such a control freak.  I ALWAYS have a plan.  I am ALWAYS prepared.  What I am learning is that by being flexible and open to the idea of deviating away from that plan, gives me this unbelievable feeling of possibility.  It’s a freedom that I don’t feel often, because I bind myself to this “perfect plan” (yeah, right)  that I have made for myself. 

The sweetness of not knowing what we are going to get comes when we have fully surrendered our lives to God and His will.  Letting go of my plan, means opening all of the possibilities of His plans for us.   I am learning that my plans fail in so many ways.  My plans always take into account what people will think or how I will be perceived, but often don’t take into account God’s purpose for our lives. 

By not having a plan right now, we are able to discover more of our purpose, and for that I am so thankful. 

*Disclaimer*:  I do believe that is still important to plan and prepare for life, just not to become so rigid in that plan that we are blind to His will. 

Thanks for reading!