When Plans Fly Out the Window

When Plans Fly Out the Window

Have your plans been derailed lately?

You start the month with great intentions, your calendar organized and your goals in sight, only to have everything fly out the window like a bird escaping its cage.

Me too.

When October began, I had big plans. I envisioned writing two, maybe three blog posts ahead of time so I could relax and enjoy the season leading into Christmas. But then life happened.

Before I knew it, October was nearly gone, and so were my ideas of being prepared.

Life Happened

Our month began with a long-awaited family trip to the Grand Canyon, which was absolutely breathtaking. Upon our return, though, both Tom and I came down with colds, mine dangerously close to another round of pneumonia. More antibiotics, more rest, more delay.

By the time the 18th arrived, we were feeling much better, but then came another adventure. We rented a U-Haul and I drove to Cincinnati to deliver our sofa to our granddaughter’s family. They needed one, and it felt good to bless them with it.

From the moment of my arrival, our days were filled with laughter, activity, and lots of little arms reaching up for hugs.

There was potty training (round two!) with the twins, which was, thankfully, successful. Tom arrived on Friday, just in time for birthday celebrations for our oldest great-granddaughter, who turned seven. We went to church on Sunday with the older two, spent an afternoon at the Cincinnati Museum, and ended the evenings with bath time, bedtime stories, and giggles that lingered long after lights out.

When we finally flew home to Murfreesboro, every bone in my body ached. But my heart was full.

“The love I have for our granddaughter, her husband, and their four beautiful children is beyond words. I cherish every moment I get to be their ‘Mimi,’ a name I hold very dear.”

A Lesson from the Lord

Somewhere between the missed writing deadlines and the whirlwind travel, God reminded me of something important:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”
— Luke 12:22–24 (NIV)

I love how Jesus used birds in this passage because, sometimes, our best-laid plans take flight, too. Yet God still provides what we truly need.

Maybe October didn’t unfold the way I envisioned, but it unfolded exactly as God intended. I didn’t write as much as I’d hoped, but I lived more deeply than I planned.

Doing All Things Unto the Lord

All this to say, whatever you do, do it with all your heart as unto the Lord. Doing this will bring out your very best. It will honor God and help those you love learn what it means to give to others while laying aside your own “well-intentioned” plans.

“Life is full of choices. In this season (now almost 70 years old!), my greatest joy is to set aside my own desires and be there for my family so they will know they are truly loved.”

Remember, nothing in life is perfect. Don’t fret over derailed plans. They may not be a derailment after all!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the opportunities You present to love others and honor You, especially when it seemingly “interferes” with my own plans. Help me remember to always seek You first, remembering that You will give everything I need.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Watch a personal message from Mindi here: