My family’s summer bucket list challenge starts with “what do you want to do this summer?” It’s a bit of a rhetorical question as most of it has been planned for months. My oldest was 8 or 9 when I finally realized summer planning takes place in February or earlier. I missed some opportunities for him. To to avoid this, the last few years we’ve created a summer bucket list. We don’t always accomplish everything, but at least we have a plan.
I love to plan and when a plan comes together. God shifted my plan a number of years ago and things have been different ever since. I make my plan, but also try to be open to God’s plan for me.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11
Clearly my plan wasn’t His back then. My rug was pulled out and everything changed. But what never changed was God’s presence. He’s present in each of us with a plan as the verse describes. We just need to be open to His presence and design. Easier said than done.
I think of it as God’s summer bucket list for our lives. Whether we accomplish everything is really up to us and whether we follow His plan or ours.
This blog was spurred by soul searching after God changed my plan. I began seeking His plan more and mine less. I wrote to help myself and others and this blog became a place to share it. One step led to another and now I’m in a whole new place. One I never would have found by following my own plan. It feels like little by little I’m ticking things off God’s bucket list for me. The crazy thing is I can’t see the list, only God can! So, the only way to follow is by faith.
Ever lead someone blindfolded without telling them where you’re going? It’s fun exhilaration for the lead person anticipating the recipient’s surprise. The person being led gives you their trust, excited for the revelation. The same holds true with following God’s plan! God is eager to lead us as we put our trust in Him. He is thrilled to show us what good plans He has for our future. We just need to give Him our faith.
So as we create our summer bucket list, I’m trying to be more aware of God’s nudging. Making plans so far, I’ve tried to seek His will. And for the moments not yet scheduled, I’m going to be open to God’s direction, excited for His bucket list surprise![tweetthis]Let’s challenge our #summerbucketlist by following God’s plan more than ours [/tweetthis]
Let’s challenge each other to listen to God’s whispers this summer. Where will He take you? Seek Him daily and tune into where He directs you. Whether it’s amid already planned events or the beauty of a lazy summer day, let’s pay attention to Him. Be present in His presence and open to the possibilities. I think it will be fabulous summer, as we follow His footprints!
Chime in with a comment below or on Facebook, Twitter and now Pinterest to let me know how God is influencing your summer bucket list!
Linking up with Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus, Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth, Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup, Kelly Smith at #FridayFive, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart and Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday
Hi Jill! I’m stopping by from the Dance with Jesus link-up. I like your perspective about a summer bucket list, staying focused on God and His plan for us. Blessings to you and yours!
Thanks Stacey for stopping by and for your comments. So often we get tied up in what we want to do, happy to provide some perspective to change that thinking for myself and others! Hope to see you again as we follow His footprints!
Such a great reminder today! As my kids are finishing up the school year I keep thinking of summer and all that’s ahead. Starting with God is the best place to start! I wrote about something that really helped me in thinking about summer in case you’re interested! http://www.myinkdance.com/2016/06/06/best-summer-ever/
Yes, completely understand my kids just finished up too and it changes everything. Each summer is different but the one constant we can keep is God. Thanks for stopping and commenting! Enjoy your summer!
I love doing a summer bucket list with my kids, but I also love this! Here’s to a summer of God’s leading! #FridayFive
I agree Heather, it provides a whole other perspective when we focus on list on God’s plan, not ours. Thanks for stopping and commenting from #Fridayfive!
“I make my plan, but also try to be open to God’s plan for me.” Best summer advice EVER! Thanks for joining the link up this week, Jill!
Thanks Kelly and love to join up with you. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to link up sharing the words God gives us!
Jill, I love this challenge! Your message resonated with me because I experienced the same change of plans 2 1/2 years ago…actually so did my husband, and our world was turned upside down. But in the turning, God was faithful to provide all of our needs in such an extraordinary way. When He rocks your world like that, you learn a whole lot about trusting, and this side of it, I am so grateful He stepped in and shook things up! “Be present in His presence” …YES! I’d love for you to share on #FreshMarketFriday because your message is a comfort to all of us planners!
Thanks Crystal for stopping by and for the comment and invite to share on #FreshMarketFriday. I will definitely take you up on that! Yes, God rocks our world in ways we at first feel are painful but end up allowing us to grow into His plan for us. I pray we will all continue to seek His plan in our bucket list plans!
Hi Jill! I’m on the hop from Crying in my Cheesecake and thank you fir the reminder that God’s plans extend into the little things in our lives including planning for summer!
Hi Danielle-thanks for hopping over and your comments! Yes, summer seems to end up being more about me than Him. Trying to shift that focus, hope it will encourage others too! Hope you’ll hop back anytime!
I’m glad God pulls the rug out sometimes, though I don’t like it at the time. Sometimes I don’t mind the blindfolding if the territory seems vaguely familiar. But when it is totally something new, I tend to wish it was only a 10 minute trip, over with asap. You are right, though, we need to trust Him no matter how long or how unfamiliar the road.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Yes, we always want the uncomfortable to be over quickly, but sometimes it’s about trust, too. I feel the same way, Ruth! Thanks for visiting and commenting! Hope to see you again as we follow His footprints!
Such a great way to mold our days — beginning with an awareness that God has a plan for each one of them!
Absolutely, Micehele-it is a great way to mold our days, I like how your phrased that! Thanks for stopping by and the comment. Here’s to molding our days to God’s plan!
Seeking God daily sounds like a wise plan as I think about my summer plans. I loved reading this encouragement. Thank you for linking with Grace and Truth last week!
Thanks Dawn, it helped my to refocus on what God has for me instead of what I want for myself! It’s always a pleasure to link up wiht Grace and Truth!
Summer bucket list-great idea! Right now, we are consumed with swim team, but I do want to give God room. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Sarah! It’s so easy to get consumed with our own stuff, we forget to give God room inour day to days. I pray we all can find more room for Him this summer. Hope to see you again!