Spielberg’s latest work War of the Worlds was released today.  My son (17) and daughter (14) have been anticipating it for weeks now.  For weeks now plans have been made to see it TODAY. (There is something extra exciting, they say, about seeing it on the day of its release.) Since most of today’s show-times conflict with my son’s work and church schedule, the plan has been to go see it after church tonight with a group of friends, maybe even stopping at Dairy Queen on the way. My son especially likes Sci-fi, and my daughter especially likes her brother.  He actually invited her to come with him and his friends, which I think is sweet. It sounded like a workable arrangement.

That was the plan.

 Last night Focus on the Family released their review of this newest take on H.G. Wells’ book of the same name. I scrolled through the action description…about what you would expect from a “War” movie involving aliens.  There was no sexual content…score a big point there!  Just a minor incident of alcohol use...they see more in use in commercials.  I was beginning to relax and ok their plans until (LOOK OUT!) the profanity count.  A sick feeling began creeping into my gut.  The plans would have to be scrapped.  There was waaaaay too much foul language for my comfort or conscience.  I dreaded being the “bad guy”.  Tough love is, well, tough.  Would they trust me, or would our own version of War of the Worlds commence when I announced the new “plan”?  (Which was to come home from church and go to bed.) 

I'm reminded that my children aren't the only ones who make plans.  I make them all the time.  I plan to go to Wal-mart. I plan to work on this or that project.  I plan for my life to go a specific direction.  I plan for situations to work out a certain way.  

There really isn't anything wrong with planning.  Since I'm organizationally challenged I often keep lists and calendars and write down things to do. The problem is, things do always go according to the plan.  The van has a flat tire; happenings delay projects.  Unplanned illnesses or circumstances beyond my control derail my life.  Other people make choices that affect me.  I find my plan has changed. 

Though my children didn’t like it, they handled the movie cancellation with grace.  There was no “war of the world” at home because of it.   (Praise the Lord!)  But it makes me wonder…how do I handle unexpected changes?  Graciously?  Begrudgingly? Patiently?  Grumblingly?  Ashamedly I admit that at some point all of those have been true. 

Life would be so much easier if I would only realize that God’s ways aren’t my ways (Isaiah 55:9), His ultimate plan is for me to be like Jesus ( 2 Corinthians 3:18), and that how I react to changes in my plans reveals how short of God’s plan I fall.

Oh, when will I learn to trust in the Lord with all my heart, leaning not on my own understanding, to acknowledge Him in all my ways so that He can direct my path? (Proverbs 3: 5 & 6)