Relationships over accomplishments

Things here have been wonderful, terrible, emotional, lonely, but yet peaceful all at the same time. It is hard to explain all the emotions. Each day brings a new challenge.

The handy man work or feeding the chickens isn’t the challenge. What’s challenging is to never get done what I set out to accomplish during the day. Whether it is getting distracted by the students or by a neighbor who is excited to tell me everything he knows about Pennsylvania, something always gets in the way.

It has been frustrating for me because I love a plan.

Caleb roasts marshmallows over a fire with youth from the Ridge church in Jamaica, after a Bible study. Courtesy photo

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When I eat my breakfast, I make “the plan.” I think, “First, I will paint the steps of the church, then move the broiler chicks, then give some attention to that leaky gutter.” My whole day is already scheduled before I even leave the house.

But the plan usually doesn’t work out, and I’m left feeling like I didn’t accomplish much.

God has been working on me, though. He has been showing me that serving is not about me or the amount of work I am able to accomplish. Instead, it is about me making relationships. So I have been practicing purposely not making a plan for the day. It sounds crazy, but not having a plan actually makes the day move more smoothly.