You have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears. // James 4:14
I am, and have always been, a planner. I like knowing what the day holds and having clear objectives. I sleep well knowing that my week is planned and all the tasks that would otherwise be floating around in my brain are clearly penciled into in my calendar.
As a mom of four, life is teaching me that even the best plans need to be adjusted, or, in some cases, thrown completely aside. I have noticed a tendency in our family life that when things get super busy, something always seems to happen that leads me to clear the schedule and simply respond in the moment.
Today's First Reading resonates deeply with me because I need to more frequently bring the Lord into my day—to consecrate each day to Him and to surrender much of the control. Living with a spirit of trust and surrender does not mean we should go through life without intentionality or plans; rather, we are to surrender the ultimate control to Him. We leave room for flexibility and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Practically speaking this begins with those words “if the Lord wills it,” which invites Him into the moment. This also leaves room for the Lord to change our plans, which requires us to live with more flexibility. It also provides a greater confidence that what we are able to do is the will of the Lord.
Lent is just around the corner, and it is a time for intentional surrender to the Lord. Perhaps the words “if the Lord wills it” can be incorporated into your daily or weekly planning as you enter into this new season.
Leave room for the Lord to change our plans. // @MaryRuthHackettClick to tweet
Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended. Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter, and co-coauthor of Spiritual Discernment for Beginners: Learning to Hear God and Defeat the Lies of the Enemy. She is a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
Walk With Us this Advent
Get Your Prayerful Planner
