October Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Recently our staff team took time to meet and discuss the year behind us, the lessons we have learned, and the year to come. We do this each year as summer winds down and fall approaches. It is a time to remind ourselves of our mission and goals. We take lots of time to plan carefully for the season before us and to evaluate the best ways to use our resources to reach our community with the Gospel. By the end of our meetings this year we had many plans to carry us through the summer of 2008.

We came up with similar lists of plans this time last year, too. We filled in calendars and created time lines like pros. And we excitedly got to work so that each of our plans would come to fruition. However, there were many times in the course of the past 12 months where our plans had to change. It reminds me of Proverbs 16:9 which says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”

I will readily admit that I love a good plan. However, I am continuing to learn the lesson of flexibility when things just need to be worked out differently than I first imagined.

For example, our original plans for our summer program were quite different from the actual program we ran. And it was obvious by the way that God worked in the hearts of the kids this summer that He knew all along how best to accomplish what He wanted done, regardless of what we thought was best.

The same can be said for my personal life. Even just four years ago I could never have planned for myself to be where I am right now. Yet, looking back, it is obvious to me that God knew His perfect plan for my life all along. Even though at the time I was mostly oblivious to the ways He was working, I can now see quite clearly where His hand was guiding.

So this year we have once again filled our calendars and created time lines. But this time around I, for one, am striving to hold my plans with a little looser grip. Each step along the way we will continue to seek the Lord for His will and joyfully make changes as necessary.

Will you pray that God leads and guides me and others on my team in wisdom to be effective ministers of the Gospel through the programs and events we plan this year? Together we can anticipate the great things He has in store for us!


Serving in the City,

Beth