I used to be a planner. My first husband once told me I was the most dependable, disciplined person he knew. As the second of only two of us in my family of eight children to graduate from college, I had given it my everything and graduated summa cum laude. Over the years, my husband and I were the ones you could rely on to be early for every event and meet every deadline we were given. Then we had our first baby.
Perhaps every parent can say this, but having children has been the most humbling experience of my life. Maybe God intended it that way. Everything changed when we threw a little, unpredictable, uncooperative, and completely dependent miniature person into the mix. Then my husband died from a brain tumor; I spent a season as a widow; the Lord brought me another husband; we completed two major, cross-country moves; and in between those, we had another baby. Add another layer of humility to the mix.
The most recent major life-change was when my husband and I decided he would take over as Stay-At-Home Dad, and I would run my editing business full time—a prospect we both were super excited about. Our personalities took to the new arrangement with aplomb. And I started to fall back into planning. I have a schedule, goals, deadlines, and expectations for my business and my performance. This return to my former way of approaching life added a new layer of stress to the unpredictable nature of life in general and especially that of a family with a nursing baby and a young son.
Wouldn’t you know, life events derailed my disciplined planning efforts. My son came home from school with a nasty virus that knocked the family out of commission for a week. And as we were bouncing back, a close family member passed away. We loaded up the kids and made the twelve-hour trek to support our family and attend the funeral, not knowing how long this trip would last or when we would return home. Two weeks later, I had yet to get back to my gracious and patient clients and resume our family’s normal routine.
Throughout this unexpected adventure, I was tempted to allow stress and worry to torment me. But as I made the concerted effort to rest in the love of my Father God and trust him to light my path, a Scripture verse from the Bible continually came to mind. I meditated on it and let my soul marinate in its truth.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit,” whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you are rejoicing in your boastings. All such rejoicing is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin. (James 4:13-17 MEV)
It humbles me again. I realize that in my efforts to return to my previous planner ways, I’ve stepped into a form of pride and a false sense of control. My life is not my own; I’ve given it to follow Jesus Christ, and that means I do life very differently from those who live for themselves. I gave up my control to allow God to work his plan in my life. And I’m understanding that means a deeper level of humility when it comes to my expectations for tomorrow. When I remember that tomorrow may not be anything like what I think it will, it gives my soul freedom to trust and rest and adapt to the challenges that will undoubtedly arise. For some, this approach to life may be very unsettling, scary even. I understand that. There are all sorts of ways people handle the unpredictability of tomorrow. Some of those ways are unhealthy and lead to chronic illness and mental health issues. Other ways help release tension and build character. What do you do about tomorrow, and how is it working for you? I’d love to hear your perspective from your own unique experiences.
As you move forward to greater heights of writing and editing, remember that your voice is significant, and your contribution is unique.
Pleasant penning,
Rachel E. Bradley, ACP
Freelance Editor and Indexer
Advanced Certified Paralegal
NAIWE Copyediting Expert
Revisions by Rachel Inc.
www.RevisionsbyRachel.com
Rachel E. Bradley holds a BS degree in Paralegal Studies from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. She graduated summa cum laude in 2006 and has been awarded the Advanced Certified Paralegal designation by the National Association of Legal Assistants. She is a gold member of the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, is an established freelance editor with the Christian Editor Connection, is an instructor with the PEN Institute, is a judge for the Editors’ Choice Award, and has served as faculty for PENCON, the only conference for editors in the Christian market.
After nine years in the legal field, Rachel transitioned to her current career as a freelance editor and indexer. She now owns Revisions by Rachel Inc. In 2018, she lost her first husband, Matthew, after an intense battle with brain cancer. That experience has given her a new understanding and a fierce compassion for people who feel broken and are hurting. In celebration of continued life and hope, she became a licensed skydiver. When she is not at her computer diligently editing for her clients, you can find her in the skies flying her rainbow canopy, “Promises,” after a jump from 10,000 feet.
In early 2021, she asked God to give her an arranged marriage and gave him permission to choose her next husband. In an incredible tale of trusting God and giving him her yes without exception, she is now gratefully and blessedly married to Alexander Bradley. They have been assigned the awe-inspiring and continually humbling task of raising two incredible children.
Rachel enjoys, among other things, Bible studies, dancing during church worship, skydiving, swing dancing, rock climbing, reading, teaching, discussing important issues, watching Star Trek, sewing, cooking, Pilates, horseback riding, water sports, playing guitar, and snow skiing.