A mind of a man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps... Prov. 16:9
I remember growing up, and hearing this verse quoted to me by my father. Regardless of the occasion or the situation it seemed to ring true. We can plan and plan and in the end; the LORD directs our steps... and in my case, our vacation plans. One month ago should you have asked me about what I was doing over vacation, I would have told you something very different... a month later, I am in Paris.
I came to have Christmas with my friend, Summer. The last time I blogged was my last trip to Europe (so I am a bit out of practice and have returned to European keyboards so bear with me). Last trip, Summer and I had an incredible month full of adventures on trains, climbing mountains, seeing history, and embracing life...
This trip is different. We came together to celebrate, but also to heal-- having both come out of very difficult years, we find ourselves in Paris together again... to pray, to reflect, to fight, to play and to refocus.
In 2003, during a visit to Chicago, Summer and I traced one another's hands and wrote the words, "Les Mains Ouvertes" (open hands)on them. Five years later, this continues to be our prayer-- especially as we head into the new year. Tomorrow like every year, Summer and I will spend time reflecting, praying through our years, and answering our favorite New Years questions.
What do you want to leave behind in 2008?
What do you want to cultivate in 2009?
What are five words to describe your year?
And the ever exciting Lord of the Rings characters and scenes which we found ourselves relating to.... (yes, we are nerds)
It is a good exercise, and I look forward to considering these questions, especially looking ahead. Where do I want to go from here? What do I want to see in 2009? 2008 was full of surprises... good and painful... and 2009 will be as well. It is part of living.
Yet, I hear Gandalf's wise words to Frodo, "All we can decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." How will I respond? What do I want to build that will help me to respond in love and in ruthless trust and surrender??
So Paris, a return to Paris... a gift to be held with open hands and see what the LORD might want to do in this year ahead.
