I've recently joined the ranks of the Happy Planners and enjoy adding stickers and using my colored pens more than I care to admit.  I wanted to repurpose an older planner, so I flipped the covers over to get a new design on the outside.  However, this left me with a huge blank space on the front.  I was flipping through my endless stickers (guilty pleasure!) when I happened to notice a piece of felt art that my youngest daughter made me one Christmas.  The black felt circle had the words "Did you think to pray?" cut into it and the letters and border had been carefully colored with meticulous care by my baby girl. 

​As I stared at the circle, the question became personal.  How many times have I started an endeavor, an initiative, a task that I felt compelled to take on, without first consulting the Lord?  Countless.  It seemed fitting that this question should be the foundation for everything I'm going to "plan" or do. 

So I ask you, fellow teachers and coaches - did you think to pray about the upcoming school year?  Have you placed your schedules in the hands of the One who is the master at time management?  Have you  shared your room design with the Divine Designer?  As you happily plan, have you considered the plans He has for you?  You won't know until you think to pray over it all!

Next school year, I will move into the role of Instructional Literacy Coach for my school.  I am excited, and am approaching this new journey with my usual fervor.  I've started reading articles, joined Facebook groups, purchased books, and even trolled the web for ideas on how to decorate my new space.  But deep down, I'm fighting the imposter - that voice that tells you that you aren't smart enough, that challenges your ability to even think that you are qualified to be in this role.  There are soooo many reasons, my perfectionism tells me, that this won't work.  "Who will listen to you?"  "What makes you think that teachers will get on board with your plan?" " Who do you think YOU are?!"

A year ago, six months ago, the voice would have again talked me out of doing something that feels difficult or challenging.  But...I'm not the same person I was a year ago.  My relationship with Jesus Christ isn't the same, either.  I'm learning that He cares about every single little minutia that is part of my life, and that He doesn't open doors through which I'm not prepared to walk.  Most of all, I am learning not to even begin trying to walk alone - in work, in relationships, in life.  I'm choosing faith over fear and deciding that I'm going to trust Him every step of the way!​