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by Rita Louise MacDonald

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The End of Summer

by Rita Macdonald

Forty-two (42).

That’s how many days are left of summer, and if you’re from Michigan, or probably anywhere in the Midwest, the thought of how fast time flies comes to mind quickly.  We plant flowers and head to the Great Lakes as quickly and as often as we can, because the warm sunny months don’t last very long before that white stuff starts falling from the sky.  I can’t say the word because I’m not ready for it yet.

I was looking forward to so many things this summer – beginning with the trip I share with my two girlfriends each June.  But, health issues…

I also had a trip planned to visit some friends about five hours away, but…    had an accident, tore my rotator cuff, and spent the evening in the ER.  Plans canceled.

It had been three years since I’d made it to the Lavender Festival, but…   then I finally managed to get COVID, so now I’ll just look forward to Lavender Festival 2023, maybe?

And there were several other events or plans I’d been looking forward to enjoying with my grandkids and with friends.  But…  I won’t bore you with the drama.  Canceled – all of them.

Even a quiet lunch I’d planned among friends I was anxious to catch up with, and one I was really looking forward to seeing that I hadn’t seen since prior to the start of COVID – unnecessarily ruined abruptly and unexpectedly.  Thankfully, we’ve made plans for a “re-do!”

Seriously.  Not one thing I’d looked forward to this summer turned out the way I had planned.  None of them.  

So when my friend said that there were 42 days left of summer, I thought of a few things.  First of all – I thought that making any plans at this point would likely prove futile.  Secondly, I’ll never purchase another conference ticket a year in advance again!   

And lastly, I thought of a patient I cared for a really, really long time ago, who re-phrased Proverbs 16:9 like this:  “We make our plans, and God laughs.”

Well, I don’t think God necessarily laughed at any of my plans, because they were all good plans.  But I do believe He certainly rearranged my entire summer, and as Proverbs 16:9 really does say, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”   Most of my steps He did more than determine – He stopped.  I don’t know why – but I definitely know He’s in charge, and I’m not, because this summer He reminded me – and FREQUENTLY!

So…   42 days left, right?   Lord willing, I’ll be doing laundry this Friday.  Those are the only plans I’m brave enough to make at this point.  I’ve got a few good books I can shove in my purse and take with me wherever He orders my steps, too, because after all, wherever I step, my purse comes with me!  I’m starting with a re-read of “Balcony People,” which is a yearly must-read and definitely small enough to fit in my purse.  And after that, re-reading “Aging With Grace,” so I’m constantly reminded not to get “brutish” as I age! 

And tonight, I have a fall-scented candle burning to remind me that there’s only 42 days left of this season, and a new pair of sneakers whose steps I’m sure are already ordered.  I have no idea where they’ll take me, but I definitely give up making plans beyond the laundry.

I surrender!

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

 

 

 

 

 

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Hello, I’m Rita.

Rita Louise MacDonald

I am a very imperfect follower of Jesus. Much of my journey in learning to follow Christ – as a single mother and now as an empty nester – has taken place at my kitchen table. I invite you to pull up a chair, enjoy the stories, maybe even collect a recipe or two!

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