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Are you a planner? I have never been one of those moms who make lunches the night before, lays out clothes for the following day, or starts a project ahead of time.
On the occasions I do plan ahead, I feel great. My mind is at peace; I am not overwhelmed or stressed out. I bounce with every step, feeling a sense of accomplishment. And most importantly–my little ones feel secure knowing I am prepared and have covered their needs.
My dad is a great planner, and I wish I could have inherited his skills!
For as long as I can remember he’s been a planner, especially when it comes to travel. Each summer we take a RV trip with my parents. He starts getting organized months ahead of time, highlighting maps with routes in yellow and calculating the miles and time it will take to get to our destination. dinner — he even buys tickets ahead of time for the attractions on our itinerary!
During the long hours on the road, my family can rest knowing that each stop along the way is carefully planned.
I love the effort my dad puts into these trips. I know that he is thinking of my family, and me, even before he is physically with us. I know he loves to prepare for us and it brings him joy. And when I see him doing this, I see God the Father.
How much more joy does it bring our Father in Heaven to prepare and anticipate what He has in store you and me?
Not only does God have plans to prosper us and not harm us (Jeremiah 29:11) but He establishes our steps (Proverbs 16:9). I can get in sync with His steps, having an understanding of this, His love, as exampled in the scriptures.
The Bible says,
Long before He [God] laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son. — Ephesians 1:3-6 MSG
and
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. — Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Through out the Old Testament there are signs that point to a great rescue plan, at the center of which is Jesus. You may not notice it when you read the Bible in parts, but when read it chronologically it becomes clear.
Do you see God as a great planner? Do you read the Old Testament with your children and point to all the ways God was at work, preparing the way for Jesus?
Sharing this message with your children is easy to do when you read with them The Story of God’s Love for You. Written by Sally Lloyd Jones, it tells the stories of Noah, Moses, King David, and many others in the Bible in a way that shows that from the very beginning of time, God had a plan to redeem us from sin. His love is evidenced in His thoughtfulness and forethought. If you’re familiar with The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones, then you will know how this message is woven into every Bible story for kids. The Story of God’s Love for You is the adaption of The Jesus Storybook Bible for preteens, teens, and adults – so they too can get a glimpse of God’s great plan and His Amazing, Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.
When I travel with my dad I feel secure knowing there is a plan. I am hoping to turn over a new leaf and become a better planner myself so I can give that same security and love to my little ones just like my earthly and Heavenly Fathers.
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Your Turn
Are you a planner? Or do you aspire to be more organized with a practiced habit of planning ahead? It can seem or even be overwhelming for all of us as we raise little ones all the through the big kid years, but how do you model God’s ordered nature through the stories of Scripture? Come join the conversation on our blog! We’re all in this together, and we’d love to hear from you.
