Saying Yes

Today's post is part of a blog link-up with Blessed is She!  If you are looking for an amazing community of Catholic women and great devotionals, I really encourage you to check them out!  Today's #BISsisterhood topic is obedience.

I am a planner by nature.  I generally do very well with life, as long as whatever happens was part of my plan (I can hear God chuckling at me now).  By the time I was 15, I had the next ten years of my life beautifully laid out in a neat little timeline; I "knew" when I was getting married, when I would have my first child, when we would buy our first house, and how many children we would have.  My plan was beautiful, it was perfect, and it left no room for life to actually happen.

I spent the majority of my teen years and a good part of my twenties fighting God's will for my life.  I couldn't understand why He was allowing all of these seemingly terrible things to happen to me.  "Why me?" was a running track in my head, and it wasn't pretty.  I was depressed, anxious, and angry that my perfect plan wasn't working at all like I'd hoped.

I don't remember the exact moment, but at some point I woke up in life and realized that I wasn't in charge.  I knew, of course, that God was in control of my life, but I didn't believe that He was in control.  I was exhausted from trying life my way, and longing for something I just couldn't find.  It was time for a change, and that change was obedience.  It was time for me to humble myself and say yes to God's will for my life.

I wish I could write that the moment I said yes to God life became a garden of sunshine and roses, but that's not how He works.  God doesn't want us to suffer, He wants us to grow.   

Being obedient to God and saying yes every day is messy, but it is beautiful.  Several people have asked how I can remain joyful through all the sufferings of life, and I'm slowly learning the answer; obedience to Christ's will for my life.  When I submit to His will, I have nothing to worry about because I've stopped trying to make my plan work. It's freeing and brings me so much peace, in spite of whatever suffering is asked of me.  I can suffer with joy in my heart, because I know God is using every part of my life for His glory…every moment is an opportunity to grow closer to Him, to say yes and watch Him work.

The morning offering has become one of my favorite prayers because it reminds me to say yes every day.  I love to meditate on the words and soak them into my heart.

Morning Offering
Dear Lord, I do not know what will happen to me today. I only know that nothing will happen that was not foreseen by You, and directed to my greater good from all eternity. I adore Your holy and unfathomable plans, and submit to them with all my heart for love of You, the Pope, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen.

"Faithful you have been, and faithful you will be
You pledge yourself to me, and it's why I sing
Your praise will ever be on my lips." - Bethel Music