“The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft a-gley” ~ Robert Burns
Translation: The best laid schemes of Mice and Men often go awry.
I recently discovered those “awry” plans not only happen to “mice and men”, but this can also happen to lovely ladies such as ourselves. If you think you’re shocked, imagine how I felt. 🙂 I mean, we’re fabulous, right?! Sadly, fabulousNESS can and DOES occasionally go awry.
I greeted the sunrise, two Saturdays ago, with well thought out plans for a jam packed day that I had been looking forward to all week long. My to-do list was to begin with brownie baking in the morning and end with good food, good friends, and the melodies of smooth jazz serenading me under a beautiful sunset in the evening. Sprinkled in between were a few errands and some scheduled downtime. It was definitely going to be a lovely day. What more could a girl ask for?
Well, it’s a pity I didn’t think to ask for my day to go AS PLANNED. LOL…. Beginning sometime around 7:30am my plans sprouted wings like eagles and soared, never to be seen again.
I made one teeny tiny mistake that sent my day into a mighty tailspin. What was the mistake? Are you ready for this? I locked my keys in the car. Oh, it gets better. The car was running. Oh yes. Hey! If you’re going to go, go all out; that’s what I say!!! LOL…
My day was derailed by waiting 3 hours for a locksmith, a detour to an auto service center to figure out WHY the car just STOPPED running while it was sitting (yes, I had plenty of gas in it), blah, blah, blah…. So, nix the smell of brownies baking; squelch the sounds of smooth jazz wafting through the air. Instead, insert a frozen dinner and an early ending to an unexpectedly exhausting day filled with detours and foiled plans. Say it with me now, “Awwwwww!” 🙁
I’ll be honest. I did question why the Lord didn’t allow my Saturday to go as planned. I’m not sure I ever got an official answer, but here are a few things I found in the detour:
- I was reminded to count it all joy when I experience various trials (James 1:2). For once, instead of unraveling along with my plans, through God’s wisdom (because Monica just is NOT that together on her own), I was able to consider the many things I have to be thankful for and commenced to thanking God for them while waiting for the Locksmith to arrive (did I mention it took him THREE HOURS? LOL).
- I was reminded that sometimes the detours of our days, of our lives, are God’s maintenance plan. They are a part of His perfect plan of protection for us. Although we may not understand, we should receive them as such, trusting that He always knows best.
- Finally, I was reminded that life happens. Yet God, my Father, is never removed from the happenings of my life. So, when (notice I did not use the word “if”) my best laid plans begin to scatter like marbles fallen from a paper bag onto a concrete, I can always find peace in the Order that is His presence right in the thick of it all.
Now…..what more could a girl ask for?!
Wise, Virtuous, Valuable,
We never really ever know what dangers the detours keep us from, but God certainly does.
I agree, LaVonne, and I’m so thankful that He knows all!
OH Monica, I couldn’t help but laugh at your misfortune dear. I have a horrible time with my keys. The inability to lock my keys up in my car now is my absolute FAVORITE feature. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve closed the door and hear that nice beep of the doors unlocking b/c I’ve left the keys inside. You picked up some wonderful insight from the experience. Better luck this week maybe.