Memory Verse: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1
We’re leaving behind us 366 days: some well spent, others wasted; some painful, others joyful; some encouraging, others depressing; some successful ,and some not so much. As we welcome the next 365 days ahead of us, we do loads of planning to make it a better year than before.
Planning is a neccessary evil. Take traveling for example. We live in Europe, so in order to travel to the States we need to plan ahead.
Monday, July 13, 2015 we need to fly to the States to work on my naturalization process. On Friday night, we hear that Monday, July 13th my husband and I have to be at the courthouse to get the judge’s decision for foster care for our two little girls. Plans changed.
Thursday, January 14, 2016 we need to travel again to the States for my naturalization process, part II. Sunday morning, January 10th, my husband has a massive heart attack. They call it the widowmaker. Only by God’s grace my sweetheart is alive today. So grateful that the heart attack didn’t happen a few days later during a long flight over the ocean. Plans changed.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 we rescheduled our travel to the States. Monday, April 11th I end up in the ER with our oldest as she is diagnosed with Diabetes type I, insulin dependent. Once again, plans changed.
In May we need to TRY again to go to the States. So, silly us, we plan again. By this time half of me is scared to plan, half of me got used to plans being changed. Three days before our flight we go for a routine ultrasound test to check my husband’s heart (to see how much he loves me). The doctors find a blood clot in his heart. Tears dripping from my eyes, I couldn’t take it any more. Will our plans be changed again?
The only way to keep sane, while none of your plans go to fruition, is to see God as part of the bigger puzzle. He has a purpose in all of it, even if it doesn’t make any sense. Even in the middle of pain, confusion, or changed plans. And that’s ok.
The A,B,C’s For Great Planning
- Acknowledge God first– “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…” Psalm 127:1 Do plan. God had a plan for Salvation way before Jesus was born. But, be ok with the fact that God may tweak your plans.
- Be a learner and take action – “Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he (Jethro) said. He chose capable men from Israel and made them leaders…” Exodus 18:24-25 NIV Learn from others ways to be more effective, and learn about new technology to help you be more productive.
- Count the cost- financial, physical, emotional, spiritual -“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?“ Luke 14:28 NIV If you have an overloaded schedule, be sure to plan important things like:
- your daily time with God, serving opportunities in the church, and in the community (spiritual)
- time with your family/ spouse/ friends (emotional)
- time for workout, proper meal times, and annual doctor checkups (physical)
- bad finances add stress, be wise with your spending, plan ahead for your main expenses (financial)
- Delegate responsibilities – “Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you…?” Jethro is asking Moses, his son-in-law. “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out…“ Exodus 18:17-18 NIV
- Expect the unexpected – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 Plan really well as if it will turn out your way, but peacefully expect it will turn out God’s way. No disappointments that way.
- Focus on your priorities – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all our strength. … Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30-31 Make a list of your priorities. Start with God, family (they are your closest neighbor), then work. Include even your dreams and hobbies.
- Get someone else’s input as you plan – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 NIV If you have a family, keep members of the family involved.
- Honor God with your generous giving – “…God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing.” Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV
- Invite accountability into your life– “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman“. Job 31:1 NIV Make that be part of your planning. Men need to invite other men to keep them accountable. Women need to stay connected with other women for accountability. One way to keep computers accountable is through Covenant Eyes. It’s a good investment.
Things I need to work on:
- prayerfully make my priority list based on Scriptures up top.
- I will make myself a note to work in the next few weeks on a realistic plan for next year that will please Jesus. Make a plan, not a resolution that will be soon-forgotten by mid January.