When Things Don’t Go to Plan

Why writing our plans in pencil can leave room for grace, growth, and even some unexpected hope

I came away for a break by myself to a friend’s shack by the beach last week. I love this place — it’s got a fireplace, a set of weights out the back, a great location, and the sea just a short walk away. After a long winter marked by family and personal health issues, I desperately needed a bit of a reset.

But this reset was going to turn out a little different to what I imagined leading up to it. Instead of carefully mapping out every hour, I decided to reduce my usually burgeoning list of things to do and instead I packed my guitar, some running gear, a notebook and thought I’d just see what I felt like doing in the moment. That’s not my usual way. Normally, I set overly optimistic plans and drive hard to get them all done. This week would test that mode of operating.

The first couple of days went smoothly — until I drove home just for the evening to be part of our regular family dinner. I found myself rushing again and less than 5 minutes into preparing the meal, I sliced the tip of my finger clean off leaving a trail of blood across the kitchen bench. It was deep and painful, and I couldn’t stop the flow. After calling the doctor, I was told to head to Emergency. I knew what that meant: hours of waiting in a crowded hospital, dinner cancelled, and my whole week would now be affected because I wouldn’t have the use of my right hand.....................

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