another Wednesday and I am inspired

I can't believe it's Idol Wednesday already. I have Buffalo Chicken Chili in the slow cooker, a plan to make Texas toast and rice to accompany it and some weight watchers bars in the freezer for dessert. Everything is coordinated to be done by 6:00pm. Guests arrive by 5:30, food is served, tv is ready to go.
Wouldn't my life be better if I had it all organized that well? I mean, my life was totally organized before it happened. College, work, travel - married in late 20's - 2 kids - financially secure by 50.
That was replaced by a few night courses, work (at least something was on plan), married at 19 - 1 child - who can be financially secure anymore?
But I am not complaining. I think I look back on my life and see that it was educational, exciting and challenging.
But I was Pinocchio, thinking that the blue fairy would arrive and turn me into a real person. My problem was that it was an imaginary person that I planned on being. I thought freedom of choice meant that I was going to make myself. How arrogant I was! Once I started to experience things and make choices, those choices totally changed everything.
God created me with a purpose, knowing full well where I was going to succeed and where I was going to fail. He made sure that I had all the tools to be the person HE intended. But I had to learn to use the tools. And, I'm not very good with tools.
Anyway, (I'd make a long story short but it's way too late for that) I did everything I wanted and yet was not anyone I wanted to be. One day, though, I had enough and decided to reinvent myself, but this time I started using the tools. It was hard at first. You know, I had a Bible and used it for crossword puzzle clues and references for Jeopardy answers. Then to have someone say, did you ever read the book of John?, I was challenged...then curious...then obsessed...and finally disgusted with myself for not doing this years ago. I still didn't know how to use it, but at least it wasn't a dusty tool anymore.
So God guided me to a church where there were people to show me how to use my tools. Like "Baby's First Hammer" I used them clumsily. Little by little though, I got better and I moved on to learn to use other tools: different Bible interpretations, resources, devotionals and references.
I started to notice that the drinking, smoking, vulgar people in my life were being replaced by God loving, generous, sober people who were willing to accept who I was at that moment without condemning who I was in times past.
My writing became laced with thoughts of goodness, kindness and blessings. I found myself humming Christian music and hymns; praying in public before meals; thanking God for everything I had and accomplished; giving glory where glory was due.
No more Pinocchio, no more waiting for the blue fairy, no more thinking it was because of me that I was who I was. Finally, I am starting to figure it out. I give it to God and He sorts it, organizes it and gives me back what I need.
My life is in good hands!