James 4:13-17 NLT
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
On the eve of our departure from Simferopol I am reflecting back on the last two weeks. When we met with Yelena Nabiyevna, director at Simferopol Detski Dom, we were facing a week with on 13 of the expected 45. She was worried we would not want to stay and work with the kids.
Arthur and I reassurred her that it was no problem and that it only meant 13 kids would get the extra attention. All the while in my mind I was thinking all of our planning had gone for naught.
My long-time friend and our lead mentor, Nastya Skovorodnykova reminded me to see God'a plan first. She reminded me that because we didn't have so many kids we were able to focus on those we had and we were able to go deeper with them. We were able to discuss things we normally don't get an opportunity to.
Because there were fewer distractions we got to know some special girls better. We got feedback and participation we didn't expect.
She's right. We plan, prepare and think it's all going to come down to how well we pull off those plans and preparations. All the while we forget to let God go first. Anything else is just bragging and boasting.
[Thank you Lord for going out in front of us in this work despite my focusing on my giants. Forgive me for worrying needlessly and for not keeping my gaze fixed on you. May I always remember to let you go first.]
(Apologies for mistakes and type-o's. My eyes burn with weariness. Tomorrow we begin our ling hornet home.)
