My hubby and I are in the midst of a remodel. We bought a fixer-upper with big plans to turn this neglected house into a beautiful home. A year and a half later, we’ve made some progress, but things never quite seem to go as planned.
If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans. -Woody Allen
Plan A…
For example, last weekend, we had plans—BIG plans. We were going to replace four windows and do some painting. Then, Dane was going to mow the yard and I was going to clean the house. Sounded like a great to-do list…
And so, we started replacing the windows. The first one went beautifully. The second one… Not so much.
Plan B…
While trying to remove the stubborn old window, it got caught on some trim and shattered. Not to worry. Maddie was in her playpen in the other room, safe and sound. And Dane and I didn’t get hurt either. But we did have to stop and clean up shattered glass, being very careful to get every last sliver so nothing would get caught in little Maddie paws.
After getting all cleaned up and putting in the second new window, we moved on to the third window. It went perfectly. So, we were down to the final window. Yippee! We took off the protective cardboard wrapper and noticed the window was bent on top. Not to worry, though. That part wouldn’t show. Upon further inspection, however, we noticed that the glass in the bottom corner had a crack…
Plan C…
That meant, Dane had to load it up and take a trip to the home improvement store while I stayed home with Maddie and continued cleaning our first three windows.
A brief intermission…
When he got home, we were hungry.
Back to one of the plans . . .
After a quick break for some pepperonis and cheese, we finally put in our fourth and final window. And the finished product was gorgeous!
By this point, it was evening and time to start cooking dinner. Dane did some spiffing up around the house, but we didn’t get to the painting or the mowing or the real cleaning. Rather than being frustrated that the to-do list didn’t get complete, I focused on our beautiful new windows. I love them. I love how crisp they are and that I can see out to the beautiful green that surrounds our home. I love that I can open them and that they aren’t foggy and that they don’t have paint splattered all over them. I love everything about them. So, I focused on what got done instead of what didn’t.
That’s what we have to do in life, isn’t it? Decide what we are going to focus on? Plans are great, but we all know that they often don’t go like we expected. Setting goals is awesome. But we have to be willing to adjust when necessary. If we are always worried about what didn’t get done or what goal we haven’t met, we will most definitely miss out on the beautiful things that are getting done and the amazing goals that are being met.
So, I challenge you, fabulous one, to focus on the beautiful windows rather than the dusty house…
What amazing goal have you met recently?! Tell us about it in the comments!
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6 comments
Loved re-reading this blog. I love your story-telling that makes me smile and picture it all. Remodel is very hard work and you guys are winning the fight. ?❤?
I enjoy thinking back over how far we’ve come with our remodel. I think it mirrors how far we have come with accepting our childlessness and what is…
Plan B has always been in my life. Whatever the day throws at you, check off what you did accomplish and know those unfinished goals are still there to work on. I got that same feeling when my window cleaning was done. In one day. I love it when a plan comes together!
It is always a blessing when a plan turns out well. You are right, though. Unfinished goals will still be there tomorrow, and we can try again!
The picture with “if you want to make God laugh…” I have always liked that one! Hahah!!! Yeah, I thought I’d go to college, get married, have kids, work, etc. NOPE. Took a long time, and I am married, with only one kiddo. I adopt all others!! I’d have more pets if I could. Lots of plans get changed, and I am constantly having to go with the flow. Sometimes – it’s just exhausting! Hahah!!
You are right. It can become tiring to always feel like you have to adjust and just go with things. But we just have to trust God that He knows what He’s doing. I’m not sure anyone’s life really turns out how they expected. So, at least we are all in the same boat, friend! 😉