Swim Meet

It had been scheduled for over a year and William and Blake were so looking forward to competing against each other. They are on separate swim teams and finally they would meet.  But just as last week, after al the hoop la and planning and parking and getting settled the dark clouds blew in and the rains came and the meet was cancelled, much to the disappointment of the many little athletes who had practiced and were up for the challenge. Not to mention the moms and dads who juggle other siblings and plans of their own to accommodate their little swimmers. 

The outside buffet had been selected and set up for after the meet fare, so the scrambling of families and swimmers were not the only ones scrambling.  What had been an organized late afternoon of competition and fellowship quickly turned into a shuffling circus of redirection.  My little guys were so disappointed and it is hard to explain to them that we can make our plans, and shoot for our goal but sometimes there are interruptions and priorities that override them.  Rain for a swim meet is one of them.  

We have all been there and made plans or reservations, or scheduled something far in advance only to have to cancel, redirect or reschedule, due to circumstances that are beyond our control.  A resulting disappointment and frustration is in immediate effect becasue that is the backlash of expectation. And really if you think about frustration, we are frustrated becasue things have not gone as we have planned them to go.  We not only make plans for activities but we plan goals for our lives, and strive to stay on course to complete them.  Sometimes things go as planned but most assuredly there is going to be a kink in our systematic plan at some point. We then have to make the decision as to what to do next, and how do we override emotions, troubleshoot, and regain momentum.  The answer is to trust God in the midst of our disappointment, and in spite of our frustration.  Turn to God and not wallow in what is not meant by God to be.  

Proverbs 19:21 says: "Many are the plans in a person’s heart,   but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."  

There is a vast difference in my plans and God's.  His plans always previal, mine do not. And my plans are usually very simply directed with very simple tangible results. My plans, no matter how detailed they may be, are easy and uncomplicated compared to the many aspects that go into God's plans. God's plans involve his universal dimension. His plans are reflective of his overseeing wisdom and are transmitted through the lives and circumstances of those he chooses. God's plans for me are not only geared my way for his purposes, but network also into his plans for someone else for some other reason that I will never know.  God's plans build character and are used to transform us into being what he has envisioned us to be according to the plans that he has set.  My plans are easier and often times temporary, God's plans are better and are meant for lasting results.  God does have a plan for each of our lives, one that may very well be a complete contrast to the one we have devised. And when one of our plans is thwarted, I truly believe it is because God has a better plan in mind.  

When we are talking about plans, the heart of the matter is always trust.  Will I trust God when things don't go according to my plans? I am convinced that most of lifes' frustrations are lessons in trusting God.  God is pretty big on that topic.  And really, there is not a bible hero who hasn't had to deal with that very issue. As Christians we want to believe that God alway has something good or better planned for us, especially when things go awry. We say stuff when things don't go as planned, like maybe we were saved from something worse, or God must have something better in store etc. That is a stubborn faith that will stand the test of time, but one thing  that I must consider, because I am one who says those things often, is this: I must learn to value the things that God does. The things that last forever, not just the tangible things that I can grasp and hold to or be forced to let go of. The trials, disappointments and new directions that he allows to happen in my life are merely detours and dead ends that God will use to build my faith and strengthen my trust in Him. God values those lessons of faith and trust for they are the enduring values that reflect His grasp on my life. 

I don't know why God chose to let it rain out the swim meet this week and last, but I trust that his reasons were with great intent for his overall plan for that day.  There will be other swim meets, just as there will be other downpours. We will plan accordingly but only pencil in our plans, knowing that God has an eraser. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.  

Dear Lord, Oh, we do make plans and leave you out of loop and so many times find that they are thwarted because they fall way short of lining up with your will. Help me to include you in the plans that I make, and trust that when things don't work out as I have planned that you have a better plan.  Amen  

 

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!