I'm losing control

A short musing for the day.  Because let's face it... if you stalk FB like I do, and treat it like a diary (like I do) then you've noticed that I haven't posted in a long time.  LLoooonnnnnggggg time.

(What, you didn't notice?  You mean, you're not trolling FB looking for another blog posting from #Viewsfromtheburbs?  You mean... sniff... it's not all about ME?)

So posting this today is about as challenging as calling up a friend you haven't talked to in 3 years.  I mean...where do you start?  There is no possible way to get in all the details of what has been going on.

Sidebar...isn't THAT in of itself a lesson that most of the stuff that happens in our life is really SMALL AND FORGETTABLE???  Ha!

Well..that was an unforeseen bit of wisdom right there.  Bonus material... it's a generous day.

OKAY...here's what I really wanted to say (and for those who are minimalists, get to the point type of people... you're pulling your hair out, aren't you???)  :)  That makes me giggle.

I've lost control over the last 3 weeks.

I mean... LOST IT.  Put some inflection in your tone when you read that.  Seriously.

Painfully... after needing SEVERAL reminders, the same facts keep presenting themselves to me:

• Lectures won't control my children's behavior
• Calling my Realtor numerous times throughout the day will not cause our rental home sale to close.
• Re-vacuuming my floor to get perfect "lines" in the carpet will not bring a buyer to view our home.
• Refreshing my internet browser bar will not make a new home in Austin magically "appear" on the market.
• Having the courage to finally speak my intentions of becoming a presenter and speaker to people does not automatically cause engagements to get booked.

Drats.  DRATS!  (And just to be clear... I know sometimes little ones read over your shoulders... hence the "drats" because I've had to apologize to God and my Hubby for a few other...ahem... choice of words lately. )

I literally remember the time two weeks ago I was smoothing out the down in my comforter...trying to ensure the bed was not looking lumpy in the event someone came to look at our house.  No... we didn't have anyone scheduled.  But, JUST IN CASE.... I was going to have the most evenly-filled comforter this side of Bellevue.  Because THAT, I was SURE... would cause someone to buy the house.

(Folks... I'm being really raw here...so I appreciate you not falling off your chair in how ridiculous this must be as you imagine it in your head.  This is real...welcome to my world.)

I felt like God actually spoke to me right up in my room...right to my heart...and he said,

"Do you think THIS is going to make someone buy your house?"

And I replied (duh, to God...not myself) "Not sure... but this is what I can control."

And it dawned on me... I don't really have any control... do I?

Nope.

Nada.  Zilch.

I mean we do.  I was lamenting to a friend about all of this and she said, "Man, what CAN you control?" in a very empathetic tone.  My response?  

"I can control my reaction."

It's all we've got people.... IF we choose to live according to God's plan for our lives.  I mean, lets distinguish this fork in the road right now people.

You can get as far as you can in your own human strength.... but that has limits.  Somewhere... there is a ceiling you will reach.  And to do life that way, you need to control a lot... all the time...without ceasing.

Or... you can let God take over and live according to the plan HE has for your life.  While very unnatural for me to "let go" or give someone else the "reins" to my life, here's the truth I can hold onto and know the benefits:

• My yoke is easy and my burden is light- Matthew 11:30 NIV
• For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.- Jeremiah 29:11
• As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.- Isaiah 55:9
• Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.- Ephesians 3:20

Well that seems so much easier than making vacuum lines in my carpet every morning (okay, okay... every morning AND afternoon.)

And doesn't it seem like the minute you stop obsessing about something...scheming... trying to "figure it out" that not only do you relax and get your life back...but when you give that situation to God... it literally works itself out???

Okay... so I have some hens in the henhouse that I can't let out until tomorrow...so stay tuned.... but for today... take 5 minutes to say out loud or write it down...that which you are wearing yourself out trying to control the situation or outcome.  Then give it to God... with your mouth or your written words.... let him take over in that circumstance.  If I.... the best (overcoming) control freak I know...can do it, you can too.

Hey, post back to this...what did you give up or... you don't have to share if you don't want...but tell me how it felt!!!!

Talk atcha' tomorrow!