Change of Plans
“This week I will have been here for two months,” I respond to the friendly woman at church when she asked how long I had been in England.
“Oh, how nice! What have you done?” I know that she is actually asking where have I gone to see which sights.
Her face, like others before her, shows disappointment when I reply, “Between the cold weather, Kat’s work schedule, and Rick feeling poorly we haven’t been able to do much. We did go to Yorkshire Wildlife Park and to Cannon Hall for afternoon tea.”
“And how long are you staying?”
“Until mid-June. I know that the weather will be warmer before then. Kat has three weeks off in April. We’ll take day trips then.”
I don’t say that Kat has three weeks off right now through February. I don’t mention that we had made plans to visit Hawes and its cheese factory or to go to the butterfly house in Leeds last week but that illness in the house and the tenacious winter kept us homebound.
For such a time as this—and for many more besides—Romans 8:28 comforts and guides: “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” So, what can be the purpose of three weeks of time in the house?
Sort and clean! Sorting and cleaning were my chief activities throughout 2024 as I downsized from seven rooms into one studio apartment. In Kat’s house there are two spare rooms—the larger one is upstairs and the smaller one downstairs. The upstairs room had become a storage room over the years. (You may have a room or two or three like that.) This room had been designated as my room seven months ago, and all its contents emptied into the room downstairs.
I recognized the job that had to be done, and it required blocks of uninterrupted time to accomplish. And now we had it, spending five to six hours a day. It wasn’t the plan that we had settled on a few days ago, but it would certainly redeem the time that we had.
As we sorted through a box of family photos, I realized that the past 15 years had conditioned me for such a task as this. Keeping a declining spouse at home, rather than confining him to a care facility, meant giving up activities that had become the structure of daily living.
I gave up livelihood–substitute teaching. I gave up positions of leadership—the Red Hatters and the RLC Players, I gave up blocks of uninterrupted time for writing, reading, and financial management.
I learned to live in the moment because I could only be sure of the present moment. Even it could be snatched away as Ed called me to help him get out of his chair or to help him up from the floor after a fall.
This noon after working another two hours in the downstairs room, I said to Kat. “Okay, when we finish sorting this drawer, we’ll have lunch, watch an episode of the Good Doctor, and then I must spend time in my room, writing.” Within five minutes a call from family changed my plans, and we were off to join them for a sit-down lunch at the Red Kite.
Letting it go. Living in the moment. Rolling with the punches. Practical advice for making it through a day. Or, to paraphrase Jesus’ words recorded by Matthew in chapter six, verse 34: “Don’t worry about tomorrow (or even the next moment). Tomorrow (and the next minute) will worry about itself. It has enough trouble (and happiness) of its own.”
How will you respond to your next change of plans?
Such a comfortable looking room! I like the Blue and Gold (you may have to look a bit for the gold. A society at BJU had those colours (see I can spell in English/Canadian). Time has really flown by. Did anybody there notice that yesterday Canada beat USA in the big hockey game?
Yes, I enjoy the comfy look of my room even though it doesn’t remind me of a certain BJU society. The only sports that are discussed here in this family is football (soccer) and darts. Do you know that the world champion in darts is a 17-year old Englishman?
You have such a way of making an everyday occurrence come to life. Your room definitely is You! Neat, tidy, organized, with enough class and sass to be You!
Such specific adjectives, and you applied them to me! They make me smile! Thank you for these thoughts.😀 Heidi told me that she has recently connected with you and that your knee surgery was a success. Continue gaining strength and be a vital part of the RLC ministry. Give Rick my “HI!”
Love reading your blogs, Linda. At the moment Wally and I are in So Calif. We’re here to attend our nephew’s funeral. Very sad. The weather, however, is extraordinary – warm, bright sunshine; you know – California. A respite before we return to the PNW. Do grab every moment of joy afforded to you. You are greatly missed. Love, Diane L
Thanks for letting me know that you are reading my posts and enjoying them. Today has been the nicest and warmest day of my stay here so far. Not southern California but so much better than it has been. Thanks for the advice to grab “every moment of joy afforded” to me. By the Spirit, I will. Have a safe trip back to the beautiful PNW.
Truth! Thank you. I’m glad you can see your purging helped you help another. And you had the bonus of pictures and other items to help you recall moments and memories.
Keep up the good work!
I appreciate your wise comments. We writers seem to have the inside advantage seeing difficulties as service opportunities. Indeed, it is an aspect of Kingdom living here and now. I’m glad to walk through it in your company as well as the others in the VCW.
It looks wonderful and comfy! Great writing. Living in the moment takes practice for some of us!
So good to hear from you! Yes, I am happy in my little. comfy room. Kat and Chad worked diligently to make it just right for me. And yes, again, living in the moment takes practice not only to “get it” but to make it a habit. God is patient, and His Spirit strengthens us! Alleluia!
hi yall this is Chad it took me 3 weeks to do your room out
I believe it! And I really appreciate the transformation of the room. Other people, too, have made glowing comments about it.
Another excellent piece of writing, Linda!
I find “change of plans” days most full of adventure. Yes, life is a roller coaster of circumstances and emotions…
It’s gratifying to know that my posts resonate with you and others. You’re right; “change of plan” days are more exciting if we can let go of the disappointments, irritations, and frustrations that come along with them. Should we confer about the May third event soon?
So good to read your posts and to be in touch with you. You certainly have a large following of those who leave comments, and they represent many more who do not. My life being lived with Maryann and family keep me saying, when asked “if I would like to….” YES! When and where? Lots of love, Shirly
When June arrives, I will be contacting you to set a date for meeting with you. I’d like to pick up where we left off–at the pancake house during the last of the third week of June. I guess that I could set that date now. Thnk you for responding to my posts. Bless you, Shirley!