The Planner... and best laid vs. natural plans....

Anyone who carries one of these: (see picture at right) Is serious. Organized. I've heard that they can become a "second brain" to some. They are highly valued.

This afternoon, on the way home from picking up my son, we noticed a woman in the middle of a fairly busy street, frantically picking up pieces of paper- (the look on her face, said they were pieces of her life) while she dodged in and out of traffic, chasing down what she could salvage.

Her car was across the road, and, on our side of the street- I noticed a freshly run-over Franklin Planner--- pages blowing-off in the breeze.

All I could think, was "If that were me- I'd want some help"

We pulled over, and joined in her chase. I thought she would cry. She was surprised we'd chase her pieces of paper around a busy road. We found a blank check- (ouch, that would have been a BAD thing to lose) notecards, and many pages from her upcoming year. July 24th was one of the days we caught. I've already put her on my calendar, to pray for her on July 24th. ;)

Some of her plans, we could salvage, others were lost way below, on the freeway. (Did I mention we were racing to catch the pages before they blew off the overpass?) I'm sure she'll survive. But it will mean a lot of work. She had just left a group home, (where she supervises the workers) had placed her planner ON TOP of her car----- and well... you know the rest of the carnage. She asked what she could do for me... I said I was a Christian, and just wanted to help- it's what Jesus would want. I also said- if it was me- I'd have wanted HELP! We laighed- I hugged her- and we took off.

When I stopped, I had fully desired to just bless this woman. To help her. To pick up some of the pieces that were blowing on the road. But, what did God do with the whole situation? He turned it around to bless me.

My oldest son was with me, he helped pick up the papers. As we drove into the driveway, at home, (after finding more papers further down the road, and rusing back to find the lady...) he said this...

"I'm impressed Mom, not everybody would stop, that was the right thing to do, even if it was a pain. "

I can't tell you how many times, I've attempted and planned to teach him that lesson. Hundreds, I'm guessing, over the years. Little ways I've set out to SHOW him, that caring isn't convenient- but we do it anyway...... little lectures on giving, on helping how you can and sharing the gospel, where ever God opens. I've bought books and videos, to teach that message. Most of which he has only gotten- parts of.

Yet- today, while fully intending to bless someone else- he got the full message, written on the face of a woman in distress, who was helped, by him!

The bible says we're to- live WITH our children, and teach them through modeling, as well as with our words- at all times.

Deuteronomy 6:6-8
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.


As part of our missional mom journey- we need to allow our kids to be part of what God does- so they can see His hand extended, through us!

Dear Lord- I pray for the woman with the planner- I pray that you'd bless her work, and help her to gather her plans, and needed information. I pray that she'd know that the help she received today- wasn't from us- but directly from you. I pray also that the lesson my guy experienced today- would take a deep root in his heart- I love you Lord- and thank you for every opportunity! amen.