change of heart, change of plans

Today as I dropped off Abigail at Mothers Day Out,

I ran through my head all I could choose from to get done during my 5 hours of "me-time".

I planned to have a clean house, get a good work out in, write some blogs, get my eyebrows waxed, pay some bills, run a few errands.

But God had different plans for me today.

He wanted to change my heart too.

On my way home this morning I found out a dear friend has passed away.

He was an amazing man and loved Jesus and people well.

He was actually my sunday school teacher when I was in kindergarten.

About 8 years ago, we reconnected with him and his family through mutual friends, when he was diagnosed with cancer and we were asked to pray for him.

He had a long battle, including several years of being healed.

But it recently returned and God called him home quickly.

He touched many in his life and many know their Savior because of this man.

In the chaos that it is after losing a loved one,

we did not find out until this morning that he had actually passed on Sunday.

The funeral service is today.

Parker is stuck out of town for work, and Abigail is at school, so I will be going by myself.

Leaving behind the dirty house, the unwritten blogs, the unpaid bills, the unwaxed eyebrows.

But Im glad.

Its not like I want to go to a funeral.

But I do want to live each day with an eternal perspective

like I was reminded of so suddenly today.

This is the second time in 1 week that I am wearing my funeral outfit.

Yet, I am so easily caught back up in the daily stuff. Thats what it is...stuff.

God can change our plans, our life, our destiny,

our everything, in the blink of an eye.

19 months ago, He took Parker's dad Home in a matter of hours.

7 months ago, He took our baby back into His arms

after just 10 weeks of being in my womb.

3 months ago, Parker's godfather was given a few months to live.

Last week, my sister-in-laws dad died suddenly,

and today I am going to a dear friend and mentor's funeral.

Im not writing this to be a downer.

Im hoping it can remind us all that there is a bigger picture.

and I don't mean just death.

But doesn't it cause you to want to LIVE even more?

To not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear?

To lay aside our plans, every day, even every moment,

and inquire of God what He would have you do that day?

I want to think on the things of HIM and of Heaven.

that doesn't mean sit around and think about death

It means thinking about LIFE.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what's true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8

This doesn't mean don't clean your house, or get your eyebrows waxed, or watch TV.

Just remember that God may change your day or your life,

but its because He loves you and wants you to see the

life He gave you for the gift that it is.