Agendas

I always want my own way.

Always.

And I usually get edgy when things don’t go my way.

But the Holy Spirit gave me a teaching today. Today is Valentine’s Day, of course and further more, it’s my 23rd anniversary, so Sandra and I wanted to do something special with our kids while they’re still willing to hang around us. As a leader of the family I feel it’s my duty to make the plans so we don’t all pile in the car and look at each other saying,

“What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.”

Been there. Done that.

So I scheme up the agenda. Then when I begin to execute the agenda, I get agitated when someone else tosses in his/her last second ideas that makes my plans go sideways. Where were you in the early planning stages? I devised the dang plan and we’re going to stick to it and we’re going to have a flipping fantastic time doing it. Okay?

Enter the Holy Spirit. And thankfully early enough to catch me before the day gets started. It’s good that you made the plan, Dennis. Plans are good. Leaders should plan. But don’t get frustrated at other people’s ideas. Embrace them, encourage them because they might actually be good and even better, yes, even better than yours. Go with it. Be flexible. The purpose of the plan is to have opportunities to create special memories with your family. Don’t be so arrogant as to think you are the only one capable of a good idea and they may enjoy the day more if they can actually contribute to the plan. Even if it is last minute.

But if they have no ideas, you have the plan. As a leader should.