Our plans, God’s plans
We just spent a week in paradise—a small island in the tropics where my son and daughter-in-law live, also known as Puerto Rico.
So much tropical greenery, sandy beaches that rim the island, beautiful old structures, and delicious food. And of course the best of it was spending time with son and DIL.
One day, Dan and I made plans to visit Ponce, a small town on the south shore of the island—about an hour-and-a-half drive from San Juan. There are several museums in Ponce that we wanted to browse through—history, arts, archeology, music, and sports museums, along with Museo Castillo Serrallés, a mansion overlooking the central part of town, and a historic former fire station.
Afterwards, we planned to stroll along the boardwalk, and if there was time, visit a coffee plantation high in the lush green hills above Ponce.
We arrived mid-morning, about the time most museums would open. But they were all closed. It was Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Strike One.
No worries, we walked around the beautiful town square with its playful fountain and along some of the surrounding streets, admiring the architecture and pink flamingos.
Lunch was outdoors overlooking the park square—fish tacos with a non-alcoholic pina colada. And then we drove to the beach area, a couple miles out of town, only to discover that the boardwalk was fenced off for construction work due to the most recent hurricane.
Strike Two.
But there was still a coffee plantation. Before driving into the hills, we checked their website (now there’s a novel idea). Closed.
Strike Three.
Honestly, our three strikes were so absurdly insignificant in light of many of life’s challenges that will surely visit us while we make our home on this broken planet.
There’s an old Yiddish saying—“Man plans, God laughs”—which is often rendered as this:
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”
There’s nothing wrong with planning, of course. Planning can help an event unfold more smoothly—a wedding, a fund-raiser, or launching a business. These things will be much more successful with good preparation.
But what I’m learning is this: make plans, and then hold them loosely.
Three strikes doesn’t mean we’re out of the game—as we revisit our plans, and look for the good despite the things in life that don’t go our way.
An ancient proverb, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, goes like this:
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
For the most part—when my plans go awry—I’m at peace knowing there’s someone much wiser and kinder and all-knowing who directs my steps, someone with my highest interests in mind.
Side note
Even though our day didn’t go as planned, it wasn’t spoiled at all …
… because I was with my husband,
… because the fish tacos were delicious, and the pina colada refreshing,
… because our eyesight works just fine and the scenery was gorgeous,
… because our health allowed us to walk through ancient city streets cloaked in warm sunshine, past fountains and flora and birdsong,
… because we were not in any car accidents going or coming despite the crazy Puerto Rican drivers who view stoplights and yield signs and speed limits as suggestions, who make left-hand turns in front of us from the right lane—zip-zip, and done. And we survived to tell about it.
