I had a plan. Some dear friends invited us to their house a couple of states away for Thanksgiving. I made sure everyone had a duffle bag as space would be limited in our car. Mine was ready to be packed when one child, then another, then I came down with the Turkey Bug. No one wants to drive 10 hours when sick, so we stayed home. I felt the disappointment in my bones. I had looked forward to having some time to laugh and enjoy time with people I miss. It's normal to be disappointed, but I couldn't shake it. I began to give up on the next family outing for Christmas, the next work project I'd spent hours and hours to finalize. Although that wasn't the right posture to get stuck in, I could feel hope drifting away.
Maybe like me, your capacity for resiliency has diminished. Change is certain, but when it will come and how it will impact us are often out of our control. What we do in the midst of change often reveals what we need. After all that we, as a society, have endured these past few years, is it any wonder that a change in holiday plans could be the final straw that would highlight my need to learn something? I needed to remember that my adapting muscle was worn out. It needed a rest and a chance to build back up so that I'd be ready for the next journey.
When I survey scripture with this lens, I'm a little embarrassed that it has taken me so long to realize this! At least I haven't had these examples in front of me to help me through the disappointment when purposes or plans I've worked hard on are blocked. We are not alone in the rerouting of "best laid plans." It started in the garden with God's plan being thwarted. But He, being the author and perfecter of our faith made a way. His change of plan had us in mind as He st the stage for the ultimate change in plan.
Some plans are made to change, like Abraham planning on a deadly hike with his son. He was willing to offer up his son as a sacrifice, something God would ultimately do, but he was rerouted. Have you ever had plans change and experienced the utter relief when they didn't work out? Abraham can relate.
Joseph and Mary had a plan. A good plan. Rest for the night. Sounds reasonable, doable. But when the door literally closed, a cave and a manger for the sacrificial lamb were provided. I wonder if they were meditating on Solomon's wisdom in Proverbs 16:9. Maybe they were even shaking their heads in consternation as they headed away from the warmth of the Inn towards the smell of the straw. Can you just hear them?
Joseph: Well, Mary, like my very Great Grandfather said, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps."
Mary: Too soon, Joe. Too soon.
I'm wondering if we are supposed to live in this tension of planning with open palms, learning to let go, feel the heartache of disappointment and being out of control, yet be watchful for where God is in the midst of the change. So, if you are like me and had a Thanksgiving 2022 sick day or something worse, I pray you have an easy peasy Christmas as you leave the outcome to the One who knows it all.
