365 Days of Praise

“Debbie!” Keith called in a not so quiet voice. Rushing to the entry of our bedroom, we stared at the water pouring from our ceiling onto our bed and floor. Jumping into action, Keith ran to turn off the water while I began gathering every bowl and serving dish that could hold water. For the next hours, I rotated emptying bowls of water while Keith tried to locate the source of the leak, call the plumber, carpet cleaner, and our insurance agency. Towels we put on the floor to absorb the deluge were to no avail. As the ceiling began cracking, I hurriedly gathered pictures, books, and candles off tables in case it caved in. Having never experienced pipes bursting, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that it didn’t look good. Scooping water off the comforter on our bed and gathering bed pillows continued between emptying bowls of water. What I didn’t know, but would later find out was the leak had started long before we knew it. Water had been accumulating in the insulation in the attic. Therefore, even after the water was turned off, the deluge continued.

Phase two of me being surprised was when the plumbers arrived and one of them announced, “This ceiling will have to come down and we’ll have to tear the carpet out. “What?” I wanted to say. I think, “You’re kidding!” did slip out. However, I soon understood why the ceiling had to come down. Sagging, sopping insulation weighted the ceiling. It had to be removed. In addition to the pipes being fixed, blowers had to be set up in the attic, bedroom, and family room where the water had migrated. Keith’s and my Friday night Plan A, to go to a movie and have a quiet evening at home was replaced with a Plan B live viewing of six men tearing down our ceiling and carrying the heavy drenched insulation and carpet out in large plastic bags.

As I snapped pictures for the claims adjuster, my mind started filling with spiritual applications surrounding the bursted pipes. First, things pent up inside are eventually going to burst. When that happens, words are going to leak or perhaps pour out of our mouths. Criticism or bitterness may drip into conversations. Wouldn’t it be better to check our hearts before the Lord each day and allow Him to repair any tiny holes before they become serious issues that cause major damage?

Second, Plan Bs can have silver linings even if they require us to do things we hadn’t planned. As Keith and I walked amid boxes he’d removed from the attic to make room for the plumbers, we realized we needed to go through them to check for water damage. We found a lot that needed throwing away and some that needed giving away. God doesn’t want to waste moments in our lives. Why not look to Him and search for the silver lining in your plan B?

Third, sometimes we need others’ help. Keith and I couldn’t do what the plumbers and carpet cleaning company did, we wouldn’t have thought about looking to checkout this page to find out what to do. They had the know how and equipment to handle our situation. The Christian community is filled with people who are familiar with different issues we may be experiencing. Pastors, Christian counselors, support groups, and Bible studies and courses are available to address every need.

Bursted pipes, political unrest, family issues, financial concerns, job instability, harsh weather, and health problems aren’t fun. They present challenges. However, with God in our midst, we can find a silver lining. What silver lining are you discovering in your Plan B?

Father, please help me to see the silver lining in the Plan B’s in my life. Help me to turn to you to see the positive in every situation and not hold bitterness or criticism in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Plan A Woman In A Plan B World, What To Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan, copyright Debbie Taylor Williams

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Standing in the room, I chatted with the other two ladies and breathed a sigh of relief that there weren’t more people in the class.  The music began and so did the instructor.  No, I was not in a ballroom dancing class, although that would have been a Plan A place for me to be.  Instead, I had decided to do something different, learn something new and fun: Zumba! In case you’re not familiar with Zumba, it’s a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program.  I’d seen the advertisements on television and decided it would be a great way to workout.  However, I am not a dancer so Zumba has been a stretch for me.  I’ve been attending for several months and am trying to learn the steps.  In the meantime, while I’m sure I look more silly than sane, I am getting a good aerobic workout.

What about you?  Are you learning new things?  Or are you set in your ways?  Why is it important to learn new things?  Physically and mentally, stimulating activities strengthen our brain cells and bodies.  Spiritually, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29, “…learn from Me.”

When Jesus says, “learn from Me,” He is not making a casual suggestion.  Rather, in Matthew 11:29, “learn” is in the aorist imperative tense.  The Discovery Bible explains that it is a command to “do this!”  (Don’t just try!)  BEGIN to do this now!  In other words, Jesus calls us to a specific and definite decision to learn from Him!

Why would Jesus give this command?  He is interested in you.  He loves you.  He sees what you are going through.  He has compassion.  And, He has a better way for you to handle your Plan Bs than you might imagine.

What can we learn from Jesus?

We learn from Jesus that we can find rest for our souls.  Spiritual rest is not dependent on the circumstances of our lives being perfect.  Rather, soul rest is the result of walking in step with Jesus.

We learn from Jesus that a way to stand against temptations (that often land us in Plan Bs) is by having Scripture memorized and applying it in the face of temptation.  When Satan came to Jesus in the wilderness and tempted Him, Jesus didn’t fall for Satan’s lies because He knew the truth (Scripture) and stood on it.

We learn from Jesus how to forgive….from the heart.  We learn that no matter what someone has done to us, it doesn’t compare to how we’ve sinned against God. Matthew 18:33

We learn from Jesus to pray in the midst of whatever we’re going through or whatever decisions we’re making.  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,” Matthew 7:7. We find Jesus praying all night before He selected His disciples.  We see Jesus praying before He divided the fish and loaves.  We hear Jesus praying outside of Lazarus’ tomb.

We learn from Jesus not to worry.  Although that can be a hard one in the midst of Plan Bs, Jesus clearly states, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble on its own,” Matthew 7:34.

There is so much we can learn from Jesus.  Are you being obedient to His command to learn from Him?  Learning Zumba is a fun optional way to get a workout.  Learning from Jesus is not an option if you want to experience rest for your soul.  Why not begin learning spiritual steps from Jesus today?  You may even discover it is fun.

Excerpts from The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan, copyright Debbie Taylor Williams 

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The fish lay on the grass beside the pond.  First it flipped one way, then another.  No matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t get back in the water.  Floundering, it longed to effortlessly swim the lake once again.

Many of us feel the same when Plan B hits.  We don’t like our situation. We want things to be as they were once were; when we felt comfortable and able to move and do as we please.

If you feel like you’re floundering today, the Apostle Paul tells us how to move beyond our floundering condition to a place where the Holy Spirit is flowing in our hearts. 

In Romans 5:1-5, Paul explains that we can place our hope in God and when we do,

“…hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  In other words, we may not always see the big picture while we’re going through Plan Bs.  But as we pray and trust God, we will experience His divine presence and peace “poured out within our hearts.”  

In the midst of your Plan B, will you place your hope in Christ?  Will you open your heart to the love of God being poured out within you through the Holy Spirit?  Will you experience the flow God offers rather than flounder in your Plan B?

Father, thank You that I don’t have to flounder in my Plan B.  I can fix my hope on You. I can experience the flow of the Holy Spirit being poured out within my heart. I ask You to fill me now with Your Spirit and flow in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Move beyond floundering in Plan B to the love of God flowing within your heart.

Excerpts from The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan, copyright Debbie Taylor Williams 

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“Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth,” Genesis 7:6.

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened,” Genesis 7:11.

“Now it came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first of the month, the water was dried up from the earth. Then Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the surface of the ground was dried up,” Genesis 8:13.

Sometimes we forget that our lives are important to God.  We don’t consider that  God takes note of our years, months, and days.  This may be especially true

when we’re going through a “Plan B” time.  However, the Bible contains a record of people’s Plan B years, months, and days.  We don’t have to wonder what day of the month it was when the flood came.  It was the seventeenth.  Nor do we need to be puzzled about the day of month Noah removed the covering of the ark and the ground was dry.  It was the first day of the first month when Noah was 601.

God knew what was happening on the first day of the first month of Noah’s 601^st birthday.  God also takes note of us.

What is God noticing about your first month of 2011?

In case you’ve been taught that God doesn’t concern Himself with those who aren’t “big” names like Moses, Noah, Abraham, and Esther, I beg to differ.  What causes these people to stand out as “big” has more to do with their responsiveness to God in their Plan B moments than how big their bank accounts were or what their social standing was.

Noah walked to the beat of a different drummer than those swept away by what they would have considered a Plan B flood.  God’s Plan A for Abraham took him to a new country.  Esther’s parents died when she was a young girl.  However, God had a Plan A for her. She was raised by her cousin and later saved the Jews.  Moses paid attention when God spoke to him through a bush and was therefore able to lead others in God’s Plan A ways.

God hasn’t changed. He still takes notice of people who call to Him in the midst of their Plan B’s.  As you enter a new season of your life this first month of the year 2011, will you commit to be a person who listens and responds to God in the midst of Plan B’s?  How?  Meet with Him daily with your Bible open and pen and paper handy to write down what He impresses on your heart.  Do what He impresses you to do.  Grow and mature spiritually as He leads you.  Respond to areas of service and relationships into which He draws you.

Won’t it be exciting on the last day of the last month of the year 2011 to look back and see how God has infused your life with His Plan A blessings?

“‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.'” Jer 29:11-13

Father, Thank You that You care about me in this season of my life. Thank You that You can infuse my life with Your blessings even in the midst of my Plan B moments.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Excerpt from “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” copyright Debbie Taylor Williams, page 6-7

For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

In the Taylor household in which I grew up, birthdays were a cause for celebration.  Weeks before a birthday, we began talking about the birthday person’s special day.  We made plans to honor the person with a party.   We baked a cake and bought special birthday napkins.  We thoughtfully purchased presents with the birthday person in mind.

As I contemplate the attention given to people on their birthdays, I cannot help but wonder if at Christmas I am guilty of giving more attention to what others want than to what Jesus wants.  Does He want me to be more kind to others?  Does He want me to give graciously to the needy?  Does He want me to put away a certain sin that distances me from Him? Does He long for me to spend more time with Him in prayer?  I wonder what Christmas would be like if I celebrated Christ and honored want He wants this season.

Celebrate Christ in the morning and eve.

Celebrate Christ for the Gift you’ve received.

Think on the treasure He gives from above

Salvation so free, the power of His love.

 Worship Christ. Hold Him close in your heart.

Worship the Lord who will never depart.

Sing praises to Him and often say prayers.

Speak to Him daily of your love and your cares.

Celebrate Christ not just this season.

Celebrate Christ when there seems no reason.

Celebrate Christ – His birth, Him now risen.

Celebrate Christ this Christmas season.

Lord, help me keep my eyes on Jesus and celebrate Him today and every day.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

/read/   

Excerpt from “Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas,” copyright Debbie Taylor Williams.

I will never forget when I was a child and my Sunday School teacher challenged my class to memorize the Christmas story found in Luke 2:1-14. What seemed a daunting task became manageable as mother helped me memorize one small section at a time.  Every year since then, I read the Christmas story and cherish its words hidden in my heart.  One year, when Taylor and Lauren asked what they could give me for Christmas, I told them the best gift would be for them to memorize Luke 2:1-14.

You can imagine the looks on their faces.  However, Christmas morning my wish came true.  Although they didn’t know it at the time, my request was truly a gift to them.  There are few treasures greater than God’s Word hidden in our hearts.

Although “The Night Before Christmas” may be more often read in homes across America, it can never compare with the true meaning of Christmas: the celebration of Christ’s birth; God’s demonstration of His love by giving us His only begotten Son. This year, why not begin some new traditions?  Help your children or grandchildren memorize the Christmas story and recite it each year. Or, as Keith does in our home, read the Christmas story before you begin opening presents.  Let the true meaning of Christmas dwell in your heart.

Luke 2:1-14

“And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  And this taxing was first done when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David),  to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.  6  And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you:  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”

“Ba-ooon!  Ba-ooon!”  With a worried look, two year old Logan turned his face toward me then pointed to the ceiling.  “Ba-ooon!”  he repeated, pointing to his blue birthday balloon that had drifted to the vaulted ceiling. 

“I know, Logan. I’m sorry, but Mimi can’t reach it.” 

“Logan, Mommy can’t reach it.  I’m sorry.” 

Ba-ooon!  Ba-ooon!” Logan repeated as he stood in the circle of family that had gathered for his birthday.  You could almost read his mind, “Can’t anyone get that balloon off the ceiling?” 

Turning toward his granddaddies, he again made his request known; not accepting that it was impossible to reach the top of the high ceiling. “Ba-ooon!  Ba-ooon!” he pointed out to them.  

Grandmother Edie who was walking upstairs, showed Logan that although she tried, her arms couldn’t reach the balloon.  Unsatisfied, Logan repeated “ba-ooon!” continuing to point to the blue balloon adrift beyond anyone’s reach.  Numerous attempts to distract little one were to no avail.  Watching him, I observed one who would one day stand determinedly for what he wanted.  However, on this occasion, his stamina and conviction seemed to no avail.

Then, quietly, without a word, I noticed Logan’s daddy rise and go into the utility room.  As typical with Chris, there was no fanfare.  I watched him return with an extension rod and knew immediately that Logan was going to get his wish.  Logan didn’t yet know what his father was doing. 

“Ba-ooon” Logan once again repeated.  “Yes, Logan,” we explained. “Your balloon is on the ceiling and none of us could get it, but your daddy can.  Watch!” 

With all eyes glued on Chris, he climbed the stairs, then extended the narrow silver rod more and more until it reached the baooon.  “Yeah!”  Cheers went up.  “Daddy got the balloon!”  As quietly as he had climbed the stairs, Chris descended and handed the blue balloon to his son.  The once fretful face that had looked to all of us to no avail now grinned ear to ear as he looked at his father.  

On Thanksgiving Day, we traditionally remember the Pilgrims celebration of the first harvest.  However, let us not be remiss in also turning a smiling face to our Heavenly Father.  We, like Logan, may have fretfully looked about to others during the past year, then found it was God alone who accomplished our requests.

In addition, on Thanksgiving Day, as with other days, things aren’t always going to go according to plan.  The oven may go out and the turkey not get cooked, family we had hoped to see may not come home, differences of opinion may arise, a loved one may be hospitalized.  However, like Logan, we have a FATHER who knows our disappointments and sees our worried faces. Rather than simply look to others and voice our complaints, why not turn our faces heavenward? Let us not forget that Jesus told us “…do not be worried…” Mt 6:25, “Do not worry…” Mt 6:31, “So do not worry…” Mt 6:35.  Instead of fretting, let us do as Christ taught and Logan modeled.  Let us ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking, remembering Jesus said, “Everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened,” Mt 7:7-8. 

Logan longed for his balloon and let his father know about it.  For what does your heart long?  Why not tell your Father right now?  Then, use this Thanksgiving Day to look heavenward, smile, and thank Him for His answers.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God,” Philippians 4:6.  

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always present to hear my prayers. Thank You that nothing is too difficult for You.  I love You and praise You for Your love, guidance, protection, and th my loved ones today and remind them to turn their faces heavenward and to find their hope, strength, joy, and thankfulness in You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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If we hold to any ideal or person other than Christ when life doesn’t go according to plan, our cord will fray and eventually fail us. Our nerves will fray. Ask me: I can tell you from experience. When I lay in bed with a Plan B diagnosis from M.D. Anderson, I felt my emotions and nerves fraying. I couldn’t stand the thought of dying and leaving behind Taylor and Keith. Only when I grasped hold of my heavenly hope in the eternal God did my mind, heart, and spirit become settled. I held to the Christ cord, anchored in heaven. “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You” (Ps. 39:7).

Since then, I’ve become frayed over situations with far less significance. Yet in any and all circumstances, Christ is the cord of hope that never disappoints. Any other cord—husband, child, parent, employer, employee, job, health, philosophy, church, or friend—can and will eventually disappoint us in some way.

As Oswald Chambers pointed out, not even Jesus entrusted himself to man, knowing what was in man’s heart: “‘Jesus did not commit Himself unto them . . . for He knew what was in man,’ John 2:24–25. . . . Everything is either delightful and fine, or mean and dastardly, according to our idea. . . . There is only one Being Who can satisfy the last aching abyss of the human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. . . Our Lord trusted no man, yet He was never suspicious, never bitter. . . .If our trust is placed in human beings, we shall end in despairing of everyone.”*

No person or thing other than Christ can fully satisfy and meet our expectations.

When we depend on others to act as we think they should, our mood is relative to that person’s performance. Instead, God directs us to hope in Him.

The next time you begin to feel discouraged, ask yourself: Have I let go of my cord of hope in Christ? Are my emotions tied to another person and dragging me down?

God offers you a cord of hope. Look up. He’s tossing it to you from heaven. Hold on. He won’t let go of His end. As a matter of fact, He not only holds the cord, He is the cord. If your fingers begin to slip, God will hold onto you. He will wrap His strong arms of love around you. He will not let go of you. You are safe. You have a hope, a heavenly cord. His name is Jesus.

Father, thank You that even when my life is unraveling and I feel frayed, I can rest assured You are holding on to me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

No person or thing other than Christ can fully satisfy and meet our expectations.

Copyright Debbie Taylor Williams, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan  

*Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for His Highest,” New York:  Dodd, Mead & Company, 1935), 212. 

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In college I received a plaque that had a photograph of a cocker spaniel and the caption, “Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.” I paid little attention to the words, but I thought the picture of the dog was adorable and hung it on my dorm-room wall.

Months later, after a series of disappointments, the plaque’s words came alive to me. It’s true, I decided. If I don’t expect things of people or situations, then I won’t be disappointed when they don’t turn out the way I wanted. I lived with that philosophy for months.  After a while, however, the mantra became unsettling. How does that philosophy fit with Christianity? I wondered. Aren’t Christians supposed to hope? Going to my Bible, I found numerous insights about hope and expectations. I learned that hoping in Christ brings peace and confidence. Expectations, however, can be land mines that damage relationships and cause despair.

The word expect or a derivative of it is used only thirty-one times in the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. However, hope is used 139 times. Consider how expectations and hope are used in the following verses:

• “You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth” (Ps. 71:5).

• “The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes” (Prov. 10:28)

• “The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath” (Prov. 11:23).

What do you notice about the way the above verses use the words expectations and hope?

The word hope is associated with the righteous, gladness, and goodness. The word  expectation is associated with the wicked, perishing, and wrath. In researching the Hebrew definitions for hope and expectation in the above verses, I made an interesting discovery. The word for hope in Psalm 71:5 and for expectation in Proverbs 10:28 and 11:23 both mean “cord, ground of hope, things hoped for, outcome.” What does that tell us in relation to the above verses? Both the righteous and wicked have a cord to which they hold. Both have a ground of hope on which they stand. Yet the outcome for each is drastically different.  Why?

We’ll discover the reason as we inspect the believer’s hope. We’ll learn that our expectations of others can be dangerous land mines that lead to disappointment— especially if our expectations are skewed or unrealistic. But hope placed in God leads to blessings.

Father, thank You for giving us a cord of hope to which to cling, a ground of hope on which to stand, and a future hope to which to look.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The hope of the righteous is gladness.

Copyright Debbie Taylor Williams, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan

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