Last week I spent a good bit of time in meetings, prayers, and discussions about my plan for this week. I booked multi-city flights, secured hotel rooms, rented cars, and brainstormed the outcomes for my meetings. I even had planned out my food. By the end of the day on Friday, I was good to go and could enter my weekend ready to hit it on Monday.

This all come to a screeching halt after I received a couple of frantic calls on Saturday and then numerous wisdom-seeking discussions on Sunday. All the details, I had made were now out the window and the proverbial wrench had been thrown into my carefully planned agenda. What I had thought would happen was out the door. I was back to step 1…actually step 0 because I had to cancel all the previous plans and book the new plans. I don’t think it’s Biblical but it’s pretty close: Man plans and God laughs.

COVID has been a major wrench in all of our lives. It has brought disruptions in life…chaos in families…havoc in businesses..and unbelievable stress in our world. But what I have noticed was those who were pliable…the restaurants who were innovative; the brides who went with the flow; the churches who found new avenues of ministry did well. And, in many cases, actually thrived!

Wrenches aren’t fun for anyone, not even professional problem solvers like me. And the waste of effort when having to redo stuff can get on my last nerve. But, when I accept the change, walk in the Sovereignty of NOTHING taking God by surprise and choose joy in the midst of the disruptions, my soul is at peace and the wrench ends up being another opportunity for me to walk in the fruit of the Spirit.

What wrenches have come into your life? How are you responding? How are you adapting? How are you innovating? How are you trusting?

As a problem solver, I love helping others with their wretches. Contact me here or comment below if you want to visit about your wretch.

May your wrenches lead to wisdom that leads to worship!!