December 13
I am a planner by nature. Charts, lists, spreadsheets – I thrive on them. I am stressed without them. My kids tease me about my lists. My husband laughs at my detailed budgets. And fellow parishioners either cringe at, or relish, the sight of my project files. I imagine Noah would have appreciated my plans.
I don’t remember obsessing about preparation when I was younger. I always thought my need for organization was something I acquired over the years. So I was taken aback several years ago when cleaning out my mother’s house after she passed away. I found a box of letters, including a very long and detailed one from me to my mother while I was away at college. The letter was actually a business plan for my life, complete with goals and objectives, a flow diagram, and even a budget. I was shocked – who writes something like this at age 19? (My siblings weren’t surprised at all.) |
At first glance, I thought “wow, I’ve done okay.” My life followed my plan pretty well; family, career, a business of my own. As I returned home, and for many weeks after, I found myself troubled. Was I so focused on preparing for and fulfilling a plan – one that I wrote – that I wasn’t open to the opportunities that God had presented along the way? Had I missed out on something even more important because it wasn’t in my plan?
At home, I returned to my family, my work and the community here at St. Paul’s. Right about this time, our youth were preparing for their first mission trip with Rev. Terry and I was heavily involved in preparing for St. Paul’s first fundraising auction. A lot to prepare for; more lists, bigger spreadsheets. It all seemed a little overwhelming and my need for preparation felt like a curse. |
After the auction, Rev. Terry told us all that she was thankful that God had graced this parish with so much talent and so many skills. Skills are a gift from God, learned yes, but a gift nonetheless. I decided to take a closer look at that letter written by an overly-enthusiastic 19-year old college student.
Yes, I had accomplished most of my goals, even a few of the lofty ones. But there were some subtle differences between my plan and my reality. The variations added up to the really important parts of my life. I had made these adjustments without stress, without planning, based solely on faith.
Preparation is important. Equally important is the need to keep an open mind and heart. If I had stuck with my plan, I would not have met my husband, had two great kids, be living anywhere near here – or been blessed to be part of St. Paul’s. God had his own plan.
Elaine Richardson
Yes, I had accomplished most of my goals, even a few of the lofty ones. But there were some subtle differences between my plan and my reality. The variations added up to the really important parts of my life. I had made these adjustments without stress, without planning, based solely on faith.
Preparation is important. Equally important is the need to keep an open mind and heart. If I had stuck with my plan, I would not have met my husband, had two great kids, be living anywhere near here – or been blessed to be part of St. Paul’s. God had his own plan.
Elaine Richardson