“The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.” Robert Burns
Spring and summer had been full of activities. A total knee replacement April 1, recovery in May. June brought a week at a timeshare in San Clemente. A bike trip with Rich in mid-July, with teaching at a writing conference at the end of that month. August had a lot of physical therapy and other appointments, then September featured a treasured trip to Idaho to see our grandkids. That just left early October for a fishing and camping trip to my beloved Rock Creek in the Sierras.
But I had some concerns. My new knee was stronger, but the process of getting used to it took time. With years of a bad knee, my legs and lungs weren’t in their best condition, and I camped at 7500 ft. A bout of vertigo passed, but continued to impact my balance some. So I adjusted. Instead of almost all the day, I just fished 1.5 to 2 hours, in both mornings and afternoons. I stopped to rest when needed. And I was exceptionally careful with the streamside rocks, and didn’t push to reach some holes I earlier could have.
The first three days the trout almost leaped into my creel, landing 30 in 9 hours. I planned to leave Thursday AM, to lead our small group that evening. But Wednesday AM the fish lost interest, with just a few nibbles. The afternoon was no better, despite finding beautiful pools, yet with no bites. Then I wondered: why stay? I could leave then and get home by 9:30 PM, and sleep in a warm and soft bed with my wife instead of alone in a hard and cold pickup bed with a shell.
40 miles below Bishop I stopped at an Indian casino gas station, put in the nozzle then stepped over the hose to get a squeegee. Guess my tiredness exceeded my awareness, and I tripped on the hose and did a face plant on the concrete. People helped clean up my bleeding forehead and put on Band-Aids, so I drove the 260 miles home, but to the ER. They did a lot of tests and scans, only needing 3 stitches.
Honestly, I got frustrated. I had “counted the cost” and adapted on how I fished. That worked. Then a silly trip changed the trip. Yes, we plan, but plans get changed (Proverbs 16:9). Yes, we count the cost, but sometimes unexpected costs occur. In our planning, let’s not expect perfection in how they turn out. Whatever occurs, we can rely on God’s presence and love. Yes, he and I had some fine discussions in the 5 hours on the road and 5 hours in ER. We’re good.
Kick Starting the Application
How annoyed do you get when your plans don’t work out? Did that happen because of poor planning, or outside stuff? How can you bring God into that process? So you consciously try to focus on his love and presence in those times?