Don’t you just relish making a call – and before you can even say “hello” you are placed on hold?  Sometimes it’s a short time, sometimes long, sometimes you get disconnected and you may even be forgotten…  Not my favorite scenario!  We had lots of plans this week — beginning yesterday with a family group leader cookout at our house and then later today spending a few days with some friends who are flying in from California.  Their tickets are non-refundable, can’t be changed.  This meeting and visit has been planned for months. Also, the stack of burger buns still line my counter and the shelf load of meat is still in the refrigerator.

I still plan to pick up our friends this afternoon.  Two bags are packed — an overnight one for this meeting/trip that must be made without my husband’s presence.  And another bag is packed with several changes of clothes, including clothing for a funeral.  Likely, I will have to leave with this bag tomorrow.  All plans are on hold. My husband spent another night in the hospital with his dad.  His dad’s condition continues to deteriorate. He is no longer conscious.  Now we wait.   As I walked and prayed this morning several scriptures ran through my mind.  The first was this. Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course,
        but the Lord determines his steps.

In fact, Proverbs 16 is filled with wisdom about plans.  My plans are on hold. My plans, however, don’t even seem important in the big picture. It took that prayer walk to get surrendered, however. I’m helped by what we call “the Lord’s Prayer”… Matthew 6:11
Give us today our daily bread.

I’m reminded that the Israelites gathered manna for one day (except when gathering enough for the Sabbath as well).  Jesus teaches me in Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I will pray to live today well.  That’s all I can really plan for.  And actually, even the day is broken down into minutes and seconds.  That’s sort of encouraging.  Right now, I can choose to be surrendered to God.  I can choose the hope, joy, peace and comfort that he offers me.  Aaaaaaahhhhhhh.  Sweet surrender….at least at this moment. I will probably have to revisit this prayer and these scriptures throughout the day.

I am confident that though I may be on hold, God will not forget me or hang up on me.

Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
        and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
    Though she may forget,
        I will not forget you!

Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.