We all know that life is unpredictable, some surprises are good, some are not so good, but it seems that the initial reaction is always a mental version of the Garmin's mechanical, "recalculating".
It's as if I need to have things unfold as I expect them to, as I've planned for them too in order for me to feel that I have a firm footing. When my plans are sidelined and the unexpected happens I feel the stress level rising.
I guess the reality of it is that trying to hold on to the expectation of "my" plan unfolding exactly as I expect it too is nutty. That would take a degree of power over the elements, other people and events that I just do not have.
I plan to leave for Liberia in just about a week and a half. (AHHHH!!) My plan was that the booklets that I wrote and got help in assembling would be more than enough for all the women who may show up at the workshops that are planned while I'm in Monrovia. Actually, I really thought I was being way overly optimistic at producing so many booklets. But, I always like to have more of anything than not enough. I hate running out of things, don't know why...I'll have to think about that one. But, anyway a couple of days ago, as my production plans were all in motion and gearing into the binding stages of assembly I got a call from my friend in Liberia.
She was very happy to let me know that it looks like we are going to have many more women coming to these workshops then she first thought, and she just can't turn anyone away. I agree with that. So, okay what was my first reaction? "Couldn't the women share?"
Really - that's what I said. I'm embarrassed to admit that. My friend on the other end of the line was sort of quiet but polite. I think my response surprised her. Here God was doing this great work of spreading excitement for this training, and I was stuck in my limited plan.
After getting off the phone it occurred to me that if I just worked a little harder, put a little more effort in, I could make the additional booklets. But, the plan was for 80 booklets, not 110!! Okay, my plan was for 80 booklets. God was changing that. Now I have the opportunity to adjust.
Yes, I'm working on cranking out 30 more booklets. I've been told the first lesson of mission work is "flexibility" (thank you Sheree) I think this is a good lesson and quite possibly useful in all of life.
Now off to glue pages together....
