¹³Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” ¹⁴How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. ¹⁵What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.

James 4:13-16

Years ago, my mother-in-law prefaced or concluded all her plans with the words, “If the Lord is willing.” As happens at times, it became a bit of an eye-rolling moment. It seemed unnecessary to plan something while always including the caveat that it might not happen.

I have changed my mind about that. I believe my mother-in-law may have been on to something.

If there is one thing this year has taught me, it is to hold plans lightly. Today I texted my children to share some winter plans with them. (I’m often accused of not telling them things. Oops!) I included the phrase, “If the Lord is willing.” To be honest, it was partly in humor; but mostly, it was where I want my mind to rest. I want to confidently look to each new day, season, year without fear, planning to live life to the fullest. I also recognize situations change quickly and I want to move with the bumps, not against them.

A few weeks ago, Dave and I visited Sedona, Arizona with my sister and her husband. One morning we rented a 4 x 4 ATV to visit some sights difficult to access on foot or in a regular vehicle. On one particularly rough stretch of road, my sister and I noted that in order to avoid injury, it was best to stay as loose as possible and roll with the bumps rather than bracing against them.

That is how I want to live. Rolling with what comes, but planning to live life to the fullest in every season. So, I continue to say, “if the Lord wants me to….”

How do you want to live these days? Are you struggling to look forward to the seasons? A new year? How will you remind yourself that your life is in His hands?