PLANS Originally Posted on March 17, 2020 by Lisa Frisch
A Yiddish proverb says, “Man plans, God laughs.”
Is there anyone who has not had to give up a planned event or activity due to the novel coronavirus? Who can be sure that postponing to a future week or month will work? I’ve been preparing for a spring garage sale, cleaning out closets, donating clothes, recycling stacks of papers, bagging and boxing up items to sell to whoever shows up in my garage. Last week I decided to hold the sale by the beginning of May. Now I’m planning for a summer garage sale…date to be determined.
After crossing all scheduled gatherings for March off my calendar, one event remains. Spring will arrive on Thursday, March 19, earlier than usual, already being heralded by budding daffodils and the robin’s cheerful song. This morning I selected seeds and planting supplies on-line, intending to start them indoors, hoping to enjoy fresh herbs and bright flowers in a few weeks.
And Easter will come on Sunday, April 12, probably without community egg hunts and maybe without church services. But, just as Christmas means a little bit more that what comes from a store, Easter – Resurrection Sunday – means much more than new dresses and chocolate bunnies.
It can be hard, even sad, for us to give up what we’ve planned on doing. Our family will miss going to church, eating out, being able to go to movies, spending time with family and friends. We are blessed to have each other, but also concerned for folks who will struggle with isolation, loss of work, illness or hunger.
Back to that Yiddish proverb. A search of the Bible reveals that God thwarts the plans of the wicked (Job 5:12) and laughs because He knows their day is coming (Psalm 37:13). Many Christians, however, take comfort in the words of Jeremiah 29:11 –
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
In my own life, there have been times when a plan of mine, what I wanted most, what I thought was best, did not come to fruition. Things I hoped for did not come to pass. But, oh how grateful I am for the different plans that God had for me! His goodness and mercy have convinced me that Romans 8:28 is true –
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
The phrase, “Man plans, God laughs” reminds me of Proverbs 19:21 –
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
When we believe that the Lord’s purpose is good, that He knows best, that we are chosen and dearly loved by Him, we can stop holding so tightly to our plans and open our hands to receive what He has in store. We can open our hearts to understand how we can bless those around us.