Don’t build upon the sand.
Today I had plans. I was to drive to a larger city than mine and go to several stores not available where I live. I had been planning to do so for a while. Tomorrow, I was to drive to see my granddaughter. I was to stay the night and the next day go see the wildflowers, possibly go to a home show they were having. Both plans have changed.
“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7 26-27 ESV
As I was getting sober I learned that one of my many downfalls was projection. I projected my own feelings and thoughts upon others making them the reason behind my problems. I had to learn to plan plans and not project the outcomes. I can make a dentist appointment, but I can’t guarantee I don’t need dental work. I can plan a party, but should not plan the results of my party. I can’t plan for everyone to have a good time. I can’t make you the reason for my issues. Doing so would be building my house on the sand.
“As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action. We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day “Thy will be done.” We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves.”
―Alcoholics Anonymous, BB pg 87
In 30 AD, Jesus sat down on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee and began talking to the people who gathered, He gave them moral tools on how one should behave towards one another in a sermon that is known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” No matter how you interpret the sermon, it is pretty clear that they are instructions on being a better human and perhaps closely resemble God’s own heart. That if one bases their life and actions on the principles Jesus talked about that day, then things will work out like they should and usually for the better.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Matthew 7 24-25 ESV
All the plans I had made, I had made them for certain days. It turns out that the plans I had for today are not canceled just moved to another day. Going to see my granddaughter and wildflowers are also not canceled. I will just be going up the next day, not spending the night and with the added bonus of my husband coming along. He will be driving. That takes a huge worry off my brain. I hate driving through unfamiliar places. Plans can be made. The result of the plans should be left to God.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”1 John 5:3
