Open-Heart Planning

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Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

It’s Monday—the fresh start to a brand-new week. Mondays can feel invigorating. They propel us into productivity mode. We start with an endless checklist and the drive to accomplish it all. If you’re like me, your mind is already buzzing with plans, meetings, and grocery lists. You also keep thinking about that one task you meant to tackle last Friday but didn’t get to. This week, my list is even longer.

My sister and her husband will be here for a few days. Of course, everything needs to be perfect. Few things motivate me more to tackle those lingering projects than knowing we have company on the way. But that list needs some serious editing.

I have work deadlines to meet—those stay on the list. We need to have food in the house for our guests. So, meal planning and grocery shopping are not optional. The teak table and chairs on the patio have not been sealed this year. That will not happen. Even if work deadlines were not an issue, we still could not sit in those chairs. They wouldn’t be dry in time for entertaining. I could quickly wipe down all the baseboards in the house, but would anyone even notice?

On the surface, this appears to be a rational approach to solving a problem. But it’s not.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 NLT

Planning is good. God invites us to be intentional and wise stewards of our time and gifts. But He also calls us to plan with open hearts. We should hold our agendas loosely. This allows space for His purpose to guide us beyond what we can see.

We leave room for divine interruptions when we approach the week with open-heart planning. Unexpected conversations also find their place. There are moments of grace we didn’t pencil in. It’s a shift from rigid control to surrendered trust—from striving to abiding.

As you map out your week, write your to-do list, and set your goals. Remember to invite God into every bullet point. Trust that His purpose will prevail, even when plans change.

Let’s face this Monday—and every day—with open hearts, open hands, and eyes ready to see His work unfold.

Grace and peace,

Debra

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the gift of this new week and all the opportunities it holds. Help me plan with an open heart and trust that your purpose is greater than my agenda. Guide my steps and give me the grace to welcome your interruptions. Amen.

REFLECTION
What plans am I holding too tightly that I need to surrender to God today?

What are your thoughts?

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