{Be Loving} Reclaiming Adventure
To say I have been careful in my life would be putting it lightly. I thrive on “3 P’s”: planning, preparedness, and preparation. This does, of course put me into a great place often. For example, you hardly will ever find me without something I need and I tend to be the person with whatever someone else needs too. Trips back home to get something I forgot? Those don’t happen.
I’d like to say that this is only a positive thing for me and that the “3 P’s” are what you should strive after, what you should want, and here’s a list of how to do it. Instead, I am going to offer a different conversation:
There is a bondage in being the prepared, prepped, planner.
Now before you throw out your planner and calendar, l will clarify. This might be a somewhat extreme proposition to make especially in westernized culture that demands that we are always one step ahead, but what is missing is a joy and an exhilaration in being spontaneous.
Spontaneity doesn’t have to be stupid or completely unprepared, just as being a prepared person doesn’t have to be rigid.
Our lives do revolve around planning to a certain extent – school, work, appointments, and more demand we are present at certain times no matter what. Yet there are opportunities all around us to love people, to talk to people, and to live as the Holy Spirit guides. I won’t recommend you abandon your previous engagements but instead evaluate how much of your life comes down to planning on something instead of doing something.
If I could, I would suggest you plan on being spontaneous.
Yes that statement is oxymoronically humorous but it is so true! It can look different for each one of us – rather it be saying YES when you get invited to something way too last-minute or it be keeping a bag packed in your trunk for last-minute camping trips under the stars.
Today I am reclaiming that YES. I am saying YES to spontaneous as uncomfortable as it is, as unsure as it is, and as messy as it is. I am saying YES to loving even when my schedule is full, my life is hectic, and my mind is overwhelmed.
I am reclaiming adventure.
Will you go?
you basically just described my life as an ocd planner. :P but, i so needed to read this and needed this reminder. looking back, some of the best memories are the unplanned moments and i totally need to remember to be open to spontaneous adventures instead of stressing about all the little details.
Marcia, you are just so wonderful. The moment I read your comment The Lord told me that He wanted to remind you how much of a TREASURE you are. Truly, He is amazed by you!
Keep being spontaneous and lean on Him. Following Jesus is the greatest adventure after all!
Thanks for the words of encouragement Madison, your life inspires people to live life with the Lord, and I agree truly it’s such an adventure! I’ve loved looking at some of your updates on Facebook with the Living Room Tour! Yesterday I was walking from one class to the next and just felt promoted to stop by one building. It wasn’t on the “plan” but I did and was able to pray for a brother and bring some encouragement to him. He asked me what I was doing in that part of the campus and I just said to pray for him… Fortunately I have never been a natural 3p’s person although I’ve tried at points lol.
I could probably have my own reality show titled “OCD Planners” or something of the sort. I like to have each and every hour to be purposed with a plan of action. Sometimes, when my planning falls through (as finite humans’ often do!), flying by the seat of my pants is insanely stressful and nearly impossible to enjoy. However, when I realize that God has a great, big plan for these moments, I recognize that I don’t need to sit in the driver’s seat, I can just enjoy the ride. Thank you for these words today! They are more of a few reminders that I have been receiving recently that spontaneity often brings about the most unexpected, but best experiences.
You are so welcome! Praise God I can be used to share some encouragement with you all!