Marriage to my husband Erik, and parenting have taught me two truths ….

Not at all the evening I expected … I expected a family dinner, playing at the park with my kiddos while Erik was at band practice, early bedtimes and some time to myself just chilling.

Instead, Erik got trapped at Guitar Center for WAY longer than expected on the far West side of Madison, so I had to scrap dinner, drive 30 minutes, scarf down food with the kids and hubby, then haul the kids back to our side of town, get the promised McD’s 50 cent ice cream (since they were delightful angels at the guitar store for over an hour … ), work off the sugar in the playroom by dancing and doing headers with a mini soccer ball, wrangle the toddler to bed, and convince the 4 year old that, no, he doesn’t need any more water, and yes, Jesus told the robber on the cross that He’d see him in heaven, and no, Becca wasn’t dead before she was born, and yes, we can get Mac ‘n’ Cheese pizza tomorrow.

Two truths that plague me: Plans change, and flexibility is essential. Good thing I’m a work in progress, because those two truths throw me for a loop!

I’m working on responding better to unexpected changes. In the grand scheme of life, I handle those big changes okay. At least, I’m learning to. But on a daily basis, when we’ve set a plan–for child management, for fun, for cleaning, for work, whatever–it’s hard for me to change it. (Unless of course I’m in the MOOD for spontaneity … good luck, poor husband, figuring that one out. :)) 

I’m trying to respond with a pause, a listening ear, a deep breath, and a humble heart. I don’t always succeed; in fact, I most often don’t. But I’m trying. 

How do you respond when day-to-day plans change?