Not long ago a friend of mine and I were discussing just how we hammer out each new week’s schedule. We jokingly shared our stories about those weeks when the carefully crafted plans ended up totally upside down – sometimes before 6:00 Monday morning! I can definitely point to more weeks in my planner that show utter chaos than to weeks that went just as planned. My friend and I discussed how we somehow survived even those weeks. Neither of us have thrown up our hands and quit the things that God has laid before us. In fact, we are both doing it all again this week, no matter what insanities uproot the plan, and next week will be the same as well.
We just keep going.
I believe it is good stewardship to have a plan. I’ve tried floating through my weeks without a plan before, and it never has turned out well. I’m too forgetful. Too inclined toward laziness. Too selfish with “my” time.
But, I’ve also tried to frantically cling to my plan for dear life as the plan falls apart around me. I’ve rigidly refused to adjust, and that has turned out even worse than not having a plan.
My prayer for myself, my friend, and for you this week is that we will be willing to have a plan, but that we will take a few specific actions related to that plan.
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I pray that we will make the plan prayerfully. Our own ideas for the week mean nothing because we have no way to see the future nor do we have a full perspective of God’s workmanship. But, beginning the plan with prayer and a submissive heart allows us to be open to God’s leadership. And, by the way, He does see the future!
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I pray that we will cling to God, not the plan. Even when He guides our planning, sometimes He allows us to make plans that will never come to fruition. If we are clinging to the plan, that derailment will mean great stress! But, if we are clinging to Him, the derailment will be accompanied by an ability to let go and wait on Him.
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I pray that we will be able to see God’s hand very clearly, even if things that happen related to our plans don’t seem to have a clear rhyme or reason at the time. We might not understand the whys of life, but we can always see the hand of God if our eyes are open.
My sisters, may God bless you as you embark on your plan today!
Not Quite Ordinary 