I Am In Charge?

This picture is from 2009 and Derek is wearing the "I'm in Charge" reunion shirt.
That's the best picture I have of it!  Sad!
Obviously Derek was in charge of putting on the Christmas tree topper.

We had a family reunion once with the theme "I am In Charge".  It is true.  We are each in charge -- of our own choices.  My problem is that I sometimes feel like I am personally in charge of saving everyone, including me.  This is particularly true in my role as a Mom.  If my children make bad choices, or have an illness, or are struggling -- isn't it my fault?  Shouldn't I know exactly what to do?  Don't get me wrong, as a part of my responsibility as a parent I am responsible to try to teach my children to the best of my ability, but what if I don't do it well?  Have I wrecked the plan of happiness?

NO!!!  I heard something once that helped me put things in a better perspective.  Whose plan is the plan of happiness?  It is God's plan.  Can measly little old me wreck the plan?  Well, I have the choice to wreck it for myself and choose another path, and I can sure go about trying to wreck the plan, but even if I were to choose to do that, and I won't, I CANNOT wreck the plan -- not even for my children.  They are individuals who get to choose.  Heavenly Father sent Jesus, and He wants to save everyone else just as much as He wants to save me!

The point of the talk I listened to was that we need to put Christ as the center of everything in our lives.  Our lives should be focused on Him.  When we start to feel like we have messed up too badly, either for us, or for the people we feel responsible for, we need to get ourselves out of the way, and remember that Christ is aware of everyone.  He wants to save us all, and will save all that are willing to be saved.  I am in charge of doing my best -- at turning to Christ and doing and saying what He would do.  I am in charge of accepting His grace, and giving grace to those around me.

I feel a lot more secure when I remember that God is in charge, and has a plan for each of us.  I am just in charge of using my agency as wisely as I can, and repenting when I fail.