Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Great Expectations (not about the book) (08/25/11)
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TITLE: No More Bullet-Points | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Johnson
09/01/11 -
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As a rule, I don't think anyone automatically expects for their life to be a disaster. In general, I think most people try to have a hopeful outlook on life. Their high expectations should never be mistaken for delusions of grandeur. The Bible says “without a vision the people perish.” A Civil Rights Activist, Martin Luther King Jr.'s most famous speech was his “I Have a Dream” speech. So people are justified in dreaming their dreams.
When I was very young, I once heard someone say, “If you reach for the stars, you may never actually hold a star, but you can be sure you won't wind up with a handful of mud for your efforts.” Not very spiritual, I'll admit... but it made a very great, visual impression on me.
I have always dreamed big dreams. My expectations have always been for the very best of everything. Heck, I even had bullet-points...
*The best education (I was very focused)
*The best career (note to self: career not job)
*A fairytale romance (I'm over here, Prince C.)
*A perfect family (1 boy, 1 girl, 2 dogs)
*A house in the 'burbs (fenced yard, pool)
*College for the kids (straight “A's”, scholarships)
*Retirement home (in the mountains)
*Sitting on a wrap-around porch (log cabin, anyone?)
*Listening to a running stream (mood music)
*Writing (the next Great American Novel)
*Grand kids (when I'm old and gray)
Somehow, nothing turned out quite the way I had expected, but I always had that sincere response... “there's a reason for everything.” I pressed on with “Plan B”... “Plan C”...”Plan D”...etc. All the while, I have held tenaciously to the expectation that, in the end, everything would work out the way it is supposed to.
Then... out of left field...the unexpected... the unimagined...
One word...
Cancer.
Life's camera shifts... the picture out of focus... temporary disorientation...
Paradigm shift... or is it?
“I know the plans I have for you...”
“Yes, Lord... I know you do...but...”
“Plans to prosper you and not to harm you...”
“Yes, Lord...I know...”
“Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Not a hiccough... not a speed-bump... not a detour or a deviation. Part of the plan all along.
I have no more bullet-points.
I expect that I will wake up each day, grateful for the gift of one more day.
I expect that I will walk... not blindly or fearfully, as one feeling their way through a labyrinth... but boldly... as one who is holding tightly to the hand of Someone who knows the way.
I expect that I will tell everyone I know, “You are not promised tomorrow, so do not squander today. Seek God's plan for your life, and live each day for His glory.”
I do not know what tomorrow holds... or next week... or next year. I don't have to worry about what the future holds... I know Who holds my future.
I expect it will be great.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Scripture References:
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
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If this is a true story, my prayers go out to you.
It is a true story for my sister-in-law, who has lived this just about to the letter, including the last part where she knows that every day is a gift and lives it just exactly that way.
Congratulations, Lisa, on all facets of the winner you are.