I am a planner. Like, I seriously plan things down to the last detail. I’m the person who likes to have the big family master calendar with birthday celebrations, holiday get-togethers, vacations, and other events all put together on January 1st. Mind you, I’m usually fine if things switch around, but having a roadmap for the year is a big deal. I’m that way on many things. My holiday prep lists are extensive; my packing lists are extremely detailed and precise; and my to-do lists (whether or not they get done) are very lengthy.
I mention this because we just got home from a 16-day trip to Europe that was supposed to be six weeks. The six-week trip was planned down to the very last detail. We had hotels reserved, train schedules saved, notes on the itinerary of exactly what train (or subway) to catch when, where we were going to eat every day, amongst other details. I was learning German for our foray into Germany and Austria and my daughter was learning French for the French speaking countries. It was going to be perfect.
When the trip was first canceled a year ago I was frustrated, but everyone else was also having everything canceled and therefore I had to take the change in stride. When it looked like it was going to be canceled again this year I was really annoyed. But France announced they would let U.S. citizens in and so we revised the trip to become a much shorter trip instead. I was grateful for that opportunity while still be upset about the canceling of the longer and more exhaustive trip. I fought with the Lord over it, telling Him that it was unfair. I haven’t really had a vacation outside of quick weekend trips and a week-long trip to Florida with Elizabeth in 2017 since Ben died and I had saved and saved for this opportunity. I wasn’t particularly happy with the Lord about this. I knew what I wanted, I thought I knew what I needed, and I thought my plans should be respected more.
Several years ago a wise friend told me to “stop micromanaging the Lord.” That counsel then opened up amazing doors for me and my life was richly blessed. When I quit demanding to be in complete control of every last detail of the events of my life then I allowed the Lord to take charge and give me what I really needed. For a while that lesson stuck. But I’ve since regressed to my habits of demanding things be the way I think they should be.
Our shortened trip was exactly what we could handle. We overpacked (surprise!) and would never have been able to navigate Europe’s railways with the amount of heavy luggage we carried. At the end of the vacation it began raining (it had rained during the first part as well, but it was a light rain). This rain was intense. We discovered that the place we were to stay was under a severe flood watch, so we quickly changed course. We managed to mostly outrun the rain, but not completely. Whenever we were in the storm it was frightening in its intensity. We left for home as the rain ravaged the region.
The storms hitting Europe this past week were epic and historic. Had we taken the six-week trip we would have been in the middle of the horrific flood zone – stuck and not a lot of help in the situation. We could have been injured – or worse. The shortened trip was exactly what was actually needed.
In addition to the storms, my daughter is supposed to start law school across the country about five days after we were supposed to come home from the original length trip (we obviously didn’t know this when we initially planned it). Getting her fully moved from Utah to Ohio in just five days while also recuperating from a long trip and the accompanying jetlag wouldn’t have been possible. The Lord knew this.
Interestingly enough, we were actually still able to do many of the things on the original itinerary that we thought would have to be canceled. Switzerland opened its borders, as did Belgium and Spain. We had marvelous experiences and made memories that will last the rest of our lives. The length of the trip was absolutely perfect.
Micromanaging the Lord and His timing isn’t conducive to happiness. Being open to His plan, His schedule, and His ways have always proved to be the path to the greatest success. Like the sunflowers who instinctively turn their faces to the sun every single day, turning our faces to the Son and allowing God to be at the helm brings us the ultimate growth.
I’m now at a moment in my life where I will be making huge decisions about my future. I can demand it be according to my carefully laid out plans or I can allow the Lord to guide me into a brighter tomorrow. I know which one is the wiser course. The only question now is whether or not I can have the faith to listen, trust, and follow. Here’s hoping that I do!
Look to God and Live... Joyfully! 