“Come Now, You Who Say…”

Boy, did this morning’s reading from James hit the nail on the head!
 
Last night, I had made preparations for a possible trip down to our provincial house in Hankinson.  I was hoping to tie up loose ends on the website project.  Sr. Elaine had a board meeting scheduled there, and I was going to ride along with her, weather providing. 
 
We had been watching the weather and road reports to make a good decision as to whether or not we should go, due to wind and blizzard conditions yesterday. 
 
It turned out that we did not go, and I readjusted my schedule to stay put. 
 
Our titular passage (Jas 4:13-17) seemed so appropriate as I read it this morning during my prayer time, sitting in our chapel, and not preparing to leave on the anticipated trip. 
 
We should not say, “I will do this” or “I will do that.”  We had better say, “If God wills it, I will do this or that.” 
 
As a person who likes to have my carefully made plans all in order, this experience was another “teaching moment” for me.  It stretched me to lean more on His will than on my best laid plans.