When Plans Simply Change

"We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.

Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm." 2 Corinthians 1:12-24

I can't tell you how many times as a mom, I've gotten a bit into a plan with the kids and realized it was a big mistake. Moms are then left with that horrible decision of whether it appears they've "broken a promise" by a changed plan or just continue to lead their troops into disaster.

God is all-knowing and never has to worry about this. As Paul says here, if Christ promises something, consider it fulfilled.

Unfortunately, we're not God. So sometimes, we just have to humble ourselves and say, "I'm so sorry. I had planned to do this with/for you, but it just isn't going to work."

I love the way Paul used this to explain the difference between a God that never fails, and him - Paul, the human. He explains how he wants to be like God and model God to them, but because he doesn't know everything ahead of time -sometimes plans changed.

The thing was, Paul changed the plans for the good of the people - not himself. As moms, we often have to do the same thing. It's not for us, its for the general good of mankind that we do not drag screaming, fighting kids by their hair in order to "complete the plan."

Sometimes the plan just changes. Maturity understands that, and it is a wise lesson for us to teach our kids.