“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
Proverbs 11:14 (NIV)
I was having a conversation with my husband the other day and we were talking about life. Nothing profound, just life and how because it’s life, there are twists and surprises that come up when you least expect them.
I made a comment similar to “make sure we account for the human effect.” By that I meant many different things. Sometimes the human effect means that while you know what you want to do in a certain situation, other people are usually involved and you can’t predict their choice, behavior or response; therefore, the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
I also meant that you could plan something down to the last detail, but then “life happens” and you will be forced to readjust your plans. Lastly, I was referring to sometimes, it’s just better to factor in some “wiggle room” or room for life to get in the way because emergencies come up, delays happen, tasks take longer than predicted, etc.
I think that concept has really hit home lately for me. God recently asked me to let go of one of my jobs to make room for other opportunities He wanted me to step into. However, during the transition period from when one ended and the others are to begin, I’m realizing how important it is to factor in the “human effect” to my schedule. I like living a schedule where I can turn the computer off at night and focus on being a wife/mother instead of working from sunup until sundown. I don’t want to fill my schedule back up so full that I don’t have time to stop and pray with a friend, offer encouragement to a stranger or be available to babysit occasionally.
While I know that life is full of responsibilities, I was reminded of the wise advice of my overseeing pastor. When I called him for prayer in January, he made a statement similar to this one, “Cheri, make sure that you are choosing the best because with your personality, you tend to want to do it all and that’s not always the best.” He is so right. I took his advice to heart and now make sure to ask Bill’s opinion, seek his advice and submit to his wishes when it comes to filling my schedule. He knows me better than I know myself sometimes. He knows what I can handle, how much I can handle and how much is too much.
We’re going to be having a conversation again in the near future once I gather the information necessary to give him all the facts. And I will be taking my husband’s advice very seriously so that I can factor in the human effect when making the finishing adjustments to my schedule.
Come back next time for the other truth God reminded me of.
© Cheri Swalwell 2017