From Planning to Praying
Those of you who, like Brooke, seem to be stuck in the world of paper have all by now bought your new calendar for 2009. It's funny to me, because Brooke has transitioned to the digital world in almost every area except her calendar. We both carry Palm Treo phones equipped with efficient calendaring software that syncs with Outlook. We both use Outlook and have a third party Add-on that shares our calendars. She can view my calendar anytime from her laptop and know what I'm doing and am planning to do, and I could view hers, too, if she would just use it. But, no; when it comes to calendaring, she must have paper; she has to be able to draw squiggly lines and bubbles, etc. I must admit, though, that there is something refreshing about the blank-slate of a new calendar that gets the planning juices flowing.
So, on that 2-hour drive I mentioned yesterday, we began the brainstorming part of the planning process. We really just dreamed about things we would like to do and accomplish in 2009. We didn't put pen to paper (or fingers to keys for that matter). We just tossed out the ideas and potential goals. We discussed personal goals, family matters, financial possibilities and plans, church related goals, educational goals for the children and possible trips. One thing we did decide is that I need to do a better job managing my vacation time so that I don't come to December with 15 days remaining again. One of the possibilities we discussed, just as an example, is taking our children on a family mission trip. We discussed a myriad of ideas--some dreams, others real possibilities, still others necessary acts of repentance.
From this brainstorming session we plan to sit down later this week and prayerfully work through the ideas. We pray for wisdom to distinguish the dreams from the realities and for strength for repentance. After prioritizing the real possibilities through prayerful consideration, we will finally put pen to paper and fingers to keys. My prayer for you today is that in your planning of the New Year you, too, will be moved from planning to praying.
If you don't know quite how to start praying for the New Year, here's a suggestion from a prayer book I occasionally use, The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions, p. 206.
O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service,
to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aides every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father, as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear be my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.
Tomorrow: From Resolving to Repenting
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