I'm a planner... I guess you could figure that out from all my posts about planning this, and getting X done.  I like to have a to-do list.  I like to check off what got done.  I like to figure out ways to do things better.  Working this way has certainly helped me achieve things the world values, and helps my life run more "smoothly." 

But I think God values interruptions.  God values relationships, and relationships mean interruptions.  My "acheivements"-- even something as small as getting the laundry done on Monday-- can crowd out the significant, loving interactions God values more highly than my laundry.

In the past few years, I have noticed an unhealthy pattern in my life: plan first, then ask God to bless it.  Yes, planning is a good thing.  But I think God would have me do things a little differently-- ask first: what shall I do?  Then wait...

It's the waiting I'm bad at.  I would much prefer to plan, to get going, to accomplish.

Waiting requires risk.  I have to trust that God will answer.  And I then when he answers, I have to obey.

But I'm learning.  Lately God has given me some opportunities to ask, wait, and receive-- little things... like practice runs.  For example, I wanted a bike trailer, but I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars.  I asked my neighbor if she'd seen any at garage sales, and she said, "Get in line.  I've been looking for a used one for two years."  But I asked God about it, and waited... and my neighbor called back after seeing a bike trailer at a garage sale on our corner that she didn't want.  And I bought it.

More significantly, I've been asking God for opportunities to love my neighbors.  And every time I've asked, he's opened a door-- a dinner here, a trip to a museum there, a medical question there... all ways I can love my neighbors in tangible ways.  But these weren't opportunities I could manufacture, simply with my excellent planning.

So now I'm trying to ask God about the bigger things: how do you want to use our family for your glory?  And now I'm waiting...

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