Focus and Flexibility

The alarm went off at 5:30am. I got up. Got dressed. Made the coffee. Made the school lunch. Checked the flight status and left for the airport. I was picking up some sweet friends who were flying in from South America. I met them on my first mission trip out of the country. It was Dan who taught us that when it comes to mission trips, the key word is flexibility.


As I drove toward the airport, I started to panic a bit about how this was going to work. We had emailed the night before. I was going to pick them up outside around the middle doors. They did not have a phone so we were connecting the old fashioned way. We were just going to look for each other.


I drove to the closest spot in the "middle" and parked next to the curb. It was still early so no one made me move. As I sat there though, the panic set in again. What if I have to move. What if we couldn't find each other. What if...


I had left a table full of wedding invitations at home on my dining room table. I had spent the last two days folding and stuffing and stamping and double checking names. I was tired and I was a little overwhelmed with wedding stuff. There are checklist and time frames and vendors to call. There is a graduation to attend and a few more showers. There is a college freshman needing to be moved out of her dorm. There is a high school freshman struggling with a teacher and a class. More phone calls to make and more schedules to coordinate. I have been focusing on the frenzy of my life.


I sat there with all those people scurrying around me and my thoughts of the last few days swirling around in my head. And that is when I heard it. That still small voice. The one that said, "Focus on Me and be flexible with the rest of it."


When I focus on Him, everything else becomes clear too. When I focus on Him, my schedule doesn't really  matter as much. The craziness takes on a new perspective. The stuff that seemed so important at the time becomes a little less needed. The schedule that seems so overwhelming opens up before me with time for everyone and everything.


And then I saw her. My sweet friend waiting patiently with her bags. Right there in front of me. Perfect timing. Perfect parking spot. It all worked out with no problem. And there was even time for a little focus on the One that allows me the perspective to be flexible.


I think I felt Him smile at me. I am sure He was thinking "one day sweet daughter, you will actually stay focused on Me."


Seek first the Kingdom of God.....

People who don't know God and the way he works

 fuss over these things, but you know both 

God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, 

God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about 

missing out. You'll find all your 

everyday human concerns will be met. 

Matthew 6:33 the message