Making Plans

 I don’t know if you can relate, but for us it’s that time of year when we make plans.  We are thinking about the end of 2026 and anticipating everything that might come our way in 2027 and beyond.  The funny thing about making plans is how much depends on other people.  Even as we sit down to discuss the year ahead we realize we will need to talk to a whole host of people in order to get anything like a plan together.  We simply can’t make plans without including others and considering the effects our plans will have on them.  It is a bit of a logistical puzzle sometimes, but ultimately it is a good thing. 

Tom at ceremony that could have had more planning

Another thing about plans is how we make them and then have to hold them with open hands.  I love the quote by Dwight D Eisenhower (perhaps one of the greatest planners to ever live). “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”  How true this is.  We make our plans, but to hold onto them tightly is to cause unnecessary anxiety, stress and pain.  It’s not the plan that you need to stick to, but rather the time spent in planning that has opened your heart and your mind to the things you may encounter.  Of course the flip side of this is also true.  If there is no planning, then there is a great deal of unnecessary anxiety, stress and pain caused by all the waves of responsibility breaking against your unprepared existence.  

Local kids watch ceremony unfold

I was reflecting on this recently as I read about King David.  In a fit of thoughtless hubris and perhaps some political maneuvering, He thought to bring the ark of the covenant to his newly conquered capital—Jerusalem, the City of David.  I can see how he thought this a good idea—it would bring glory to his city and his kingdom.  It would help to centralize worship closer to his field of influence.  It would be a great unifying action.  He was also a deeply reverent man who rejoiced in worship and prayer.  So with the best of intentions, but very little planning, David set out to do what he thought was a great idea.  For those of you who don’t know the story, it does not turn out well.  In naive exuberance they place the ark on a cart and when Uzzah reaches out to steady it, he is struck dead.  The celebrations immediately cease, the ark is shunted off to a barn and David goes back to Jerusalem to sulk.  But after a few months, they try again.  This time planning takes place.  This time they do it thoughtfully.  They think through all the details and the result is a triumphal entry into the city.

I am struck by how often we are all like David.  How many times have I seen good intentions but poor planning result in failure, pain and disaster?  The “developing world” is literally littered with failed charity works of this nature.  Island businesses seem to fail constantly for the same reasons.  In my own life I can think of many a relationship that has suffered because of my “good intentions” but lack of planning to spend quality time with them.  Or when I’ve barreled ahead with a plan without talking to the members of my team and getting them on board—assuming they would agree with me and when they don’t, sulking like David did.

David had another plan—to build a house for the ark.  He went into great detail in the planning.  But then he was told he would not be the one to build the house.  This time David didn’t sulk.  He let go of his plan and accepted this change in plans with joy.  May we be equally as thoughtful in planning and still open to change. 

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our daughter had her follow-up appointment. It went well and the travel to the hospital and back wasn’t stressful.  Two new island sisters went for a special swim and we were there to celebrate with them and hear their stories. We’re thankful for how their lives have been changed.  Sisters on different sides of a recent controversy met together and were friendly and warm with each other. There was a large gathering on the big island this past week that was a unifying and encouraging event for many. 

PRAYERS REQUESTED
We are having to be patient about future planning but we hope to make some progress this week as we talk and meet with more people. Pray that we would be sensitive to all the different factors and plan with open hearts. Our teammate comes back from vacation this week— pray for good health for her and for a smooth transition back. There is a new couple that have come to be lights on the small island— pray for their integration into the community there and that they would be able to shine brightly. Our youngest son has settled in at boarding school but he doesn’t seem like he is thriving yet— pray for good friends and outlets for him.