" Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' — yet you do not know what tomorrow may bring." James 4:13-14a English Standard Version

     My dad used to repeat an adage: "The best laid plans of mice of men…" It usually appeared when the two of us had been working on a project that sounded so easy to do and yet—after several attempts—still eluded our ability to complete. "The best laid plans..." It wasn't as if Dad and I hadn't planned, but the reality turned out to be different than what we had expected. We had to adapt our plan.

     James says much the same thing in this passage. He doesn't tell us to ignore planning and move from moment to moment in our lives. What he does say is to recognize that the plans we make are really in the hands of God and that we are not to make an idol out of those plans. James attacks the arrogance in human beings that says all of our plans are the end-all in life. James' thought continues in verses 15 and 16: "Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil."

     This passage from James has become very real to my family. We moved to Kansas City expecting, with the completion of Kelly's master's degree, that some doors would open for her to teach. Yet, that has not been the case. We have encountered several circumstances in the last few months that indicate to us that she will need more education to make this plan a reality. "The best laid plans of mice and men."

     A new opportunity has opened, however. Kelly has received a full fellowship to pursue a Doctor of Arts in English Studies. She will begin this fall and the expected time for completion of this degree is three years. The challenge in this next phase of education is that Kelly will find herself once again attending Idaho State University in Pocatello. Yes, we will be back to a long distance relationship for several months out of the year! We would covet your prayers for this next stage in our lives. We would also be glad to answer any questions that you might have (if we have any answers to give). Feel free to ask.