Okay, not that kind of flexible!
Over the last several weeks, God has been teaching me to be flexible. It started with our renovation. There were numerous times that things did not go as planned (i.e. we miscalculated on our floor spacers which left a gap that we had to deal with, our kitchen plan didn’t tell us of the extra inch that we needed in order to install our cabinets properly, walls had to replaced that we had not planned to replace … and the list goes on and on). We had to be flexible. Then I was involved in a big community event this past weekend (our communities biggest festival of the year called Filomi Days). My role was planning the children’s events and whatever else needed to be done over the weekend. We had planned a teen movie night on Saturday. We had purchased the license to show “17 Again”. It sounded like a great idea. Big problem … the movie didn’t arrive! We had to be flexible. My mantra the whole weekend was “be flexible, be flexible.” Then to cap it off, this week we are running a kid’s camp at our church. We have 11 teens and 2 adults from a church in Edmonton who are running it for us. We had arranged for accommodations and then we had some issues. Long story short, we had to find new accommodations for the group. We are putting up 8 girls in our home and the 5 guys are staying in a tent trailer at the church. Be flexible, be flexible, be flexible …
It has not been easy at times but I am learning that I need to take all things in stride and be flexible. I am usually not a very flexible person. I like routine. I don’t like unexpected things. I like things to happen the way that I plan them. The problem is that life does not give us those promises! Life is always throwing us curve balls and we need to be able to deal with them. I am thankful for God’s strength and patience throughout all this. I know that it is through the “unexpected” things in life that we grow and build character but can’t there be an easier way?
Are you a flexible person? What do you do when things don’t go as planned?
"I like things to happen the way that I plan them." Oh how that resonates with me! I like things cut and dried and then I 'think' I know where I am going. What do I do if things don't work out as planned? Grizzle and spit?? To be flexible is so very important if we want to flow in God's provision – it's vital and I am learning. Thank you for this important post.
Classic photo, Kevin. I saw it on Facebook Networked Blogs.
Russ
Thanks Wayfarerjon! "To be flexible is so very important if we want to flow in God's provision – it's vital and I am learning." Amen!
I wish I was that kind of flexible too …
I am not flexible myself. I find that I get stressed and my blood pressure goes up when things are not going as planned. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and encouragement. It is easy to get stressed out when things are not going as planned, and when we are stressed out we make some of our biggest mistakes. God's plan for our life is not always clear or easy, but I do thank God for his provision and blessings, especially in times of stress. I find it helps me get through the curves of life.
Thanks for sharing Kevin! Good thoughts!
Thanks for this enlightment regarding being flexible. I am flexible to a certain degree. Sometimes I am impatient when things don't go my way, especially when dealing with individuals who are not straight forward and honest with me. I pray for flexibility in being more diplomatic in my dealings with people who have hurt me.
Flexibility is the Key to growing in God's Grace!!