Despite interruptions, this is how I live each day and dream with God

God loves when we include him in our plans. Why? He wants to be a part of our lives.

Not only that, he wants to guide us in our daily decisions. He wants to do more than just watch.

But you may ask, how does one make plans with God?

Preparing with God for a day

For me, planning a day with God means spending time with him in the morning when I feel fresh and ready to listen.

Right now, the first thing I do is read a reflection about part of the Bible. I use an online devotional that chooses passages of Scripture for me to read.

Then, I pray over what I just read. For example, if the theme is “serving others,” I humbly ask God for guidance about how to serve others during my day. I also ask God for strength, wisdom, and discernment for whatever comes my way.

Finally, I read the verses that go along with the reflection. Because I’ve reflected and prayed, these verses often become real to me, words that I can apply to my life.

This time with God prepares me for the day because I ask for his help to do whatever he wants me to. However, most of the time, I’m not sure exactly what God wants, so I just figure it out along the way.

For example, if I’m writing an article, I’ll ask God to give me the right words to say. Or sometimes I ask God for directions on how to make my writing look better. Not beforehand, but just when I need them, he gives me ideas.

I encourage you to experiment and find ways that help you start your day with reflection, prayer, and reading the Bible.

Here are some suggestions on how to meaningfully engage with the Bible.

Dreaming with God for life

Not only can we plan each day with God, but also each dream for our lives.

This isn’t easy to do because no one knows what their future holds. But even though things may not go as we plan, God doesn’t mind when we tell him our dreams. He already knows them anyway, yet still likes us telling him directly. Because remember: he wants to be part of our lives.

God wants to be with me and with you, whether our plans work out or fall through.

I strongly believe God wants me to be a writer because he has blessed and used my writing to touch people’s lives. So far, I have written two books, and I often contribute to the Power to Change – Students’ blog. (Here are my articles!)

I’m not certain if God wants me to write all my life. But right now, I hope to write for a Christian magazine or somewhere that’s outside my house.

Whenever I tell God about my plans, I try to say, “If it’s your will, then please make the way forward clear.’’

This is how we plan together. I ask him what he thinks about my dreams for the future. He then responds, always with patience and grace. I listen to his response.

I think the difference between telling God what I want and planning with him is whether I listen or demand my own way. Especially when things don’t go as planned.

Read more: Are my hopes too idealistic? Let me keep praying anyway

Dealing with interruptions

There are some days when my daily plans and big dreams get interrupted. I usually grumble or pause to take a deep breath. It’s hard for me to refocus after an interruption because sometimes I lose track of what I was about to do.

I love how Jesus showed mercy and grace all the time, even when someone stopped him in his tracks. I try to follow his example.

In Matthew 9:19-22, Jesus was on his way to heal a girl. Suddenly a woman who had been sick for many years reached out to touch him. She was instantly healed, yet Jesus still paused his important mission. Instead of ignoring her, he stopped to honour her faith.

Jesus was compassionate, stopping to help although he had things to do. This is unlike me. I want to be compassionate but often I’m not.

For example, I might be in the middle of writing a sentence when my support worker starts talking to me. I have to take a deep breath, pray silently, and see what she wants. Although I want to say to her, “What now?,’’ I ask God to give me patience and help in controlling my tongue.

Other times my life dreams are interrupted. I’ve slowly come to realize that even though I can get frustrated with God, he knows what’s best. Trusting is hard, and harder to explain. But Scripture helps: Paul says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’’

Read more: Will you trust God’s goodness, even on the boring days?

He knows what’s best for me each day and each year. In each plan and each dream. In everything, he loves to give his perfect wisdom. Because God wants to be with me and with you, whether our plans work out or fall through.