Life According to God

According to my life plan, I would be well enough to have another child right now. I would have a thriving art business with specific days and times dedicated to its growth so that I can do my job as a mother, too. I would be planning out our homeschool days to include educational field trips and projects to go along with the themed units I carefully crafted. According to my plan, I wouldn’t have any health issues holding me back from doing all of the good I planned to do. As much as I know that it isn’t according to me, I hold tight to those plans like my life depends on them.

God has put me somewhere else in this season of life. And everything that I planned for? There is no room in God’s plan for my desires right now. Perhaps He needs me to let go so He has room to do His work. If I could just scooch out of the way a tad, He could get in there and heal me according to my faith—just like the blind men in today's Gospel.

This season, the Blessed Virgin Mary gives us the best example of laying down our lives so God could be in charge. She said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). And with those words, she entered into a reckless and loving relationship with our Savior. She put aside her life’s plans and gave God room to save the world.

What could God do with my life if I let it be done according to my faith and His word? What about you, sister? Advent is starting so let's crack ourselves open to His plan this liturgical season.

Advent is starting so let's crack ourselves open to His plan this liturgical season.Click to tweet

Do you already pray the Liturgy of the Hours? If not, start with praying the Canticle of Mary.

Jenna Hines has a teeny army of four children and is married to a bearded fellow named Mike. They are a homeschooling family who just moved out to the country. Find her books and illustrations in her shop. You can find out more about her here.