Planning in pencil

My 2020 calendar was full of scribbles. Starting in March, most events and dates had strikes through their boxes with the exceptions of birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Those events were the only ones that didn’t change, although the way they were celebrated certainly did.

The calendar, proving pointless by the end of April, continued to hang on the refrigerator as a reference tool for the date, which came in handy as the days and weeks bled together. By December’s end, I had well learned that no date would be written on the 2021 calendar in any color of ink.

I unwrapped my 2021 calendar and began penciling in my expectations. Birthdays, scheduled appointments, anniversaries, holidays. Not getting too carried away or ahead of myself, I wrote with caution, the feeling escorting me into 2021.

Yet flipping through the blank pages of 2021, I was reminded that the year has already been planned. Long ago in advance. What is a mystery to me is history to God. 

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord… (Jeremiah 29:11)

And that’s good. Because I have no idea what this year will hold.

But God has written out each day. Ordained them to come to pass. And each one is fulfilling his will. Accomplishing his purposes. A part of his greater plan.

So I’m making plans for 2021 with an eraser in my other hand and the reminder that God has already gone before me and will continue to walk beside me unsurprised, unphased, and unafraid.