overturned

So, I had my own plans for today. And nothing worked out the way I expected. I was all ready to be task oriented, but it turned out to be a people day. And it turned out great.

Seriously, when I say a people day, I mean I went straight from one conversation to another from about 9:30 in the morning until 6 pm.

It all started with a skype call from some dear friends in the US. When it started, I still had grand plans for accomplishing much in the day. As I watched the time tick by (we talked until lunch!) I could feel the Martha in me getting tense. Don't get me wrong. The Mary in me was loving the time with them, and we were so encouraged by the conversation. But what about my plans??

So, I threw pancakes together for lunch in about 10 minutes, doing calculations in my head. I already had a coaching appointment planned for 4 pm. So, if I rushed, I could get in about 2 hours of painting, beat it back home, clean up and shower and still get to that meeting.

The problem was, there was this nagging voice in my head (and a tugging in my heart) that told me I also needed to visit this other friend. I argued that I had things to do. I didn't have time.

So, over pancakes I explained my dilemma to Mr. It didn't take long, as we talked, to make the decision. It came down to, tasks can usually be put off until tomorrow, but people can't. Or shouldn't be, anyway.

Definitely the Martha in me sighed as she watched her ambitions for the day get overturned. However, the Mary in me was vindicated, as the talk with my friend was uplifting, and the coaching appointment was really great, too.

I realized, as I walked home in the deepening dusk, after a day full of conversation, that you can learn so much when you just sit and really listen. Sometimes we're so busy trying to tell what we know, or what our opinions are, that we miss the opportunity to really hear another's heart and see things through their eyes. We need that. I do, at least. I had so many moments today when we were grappling with a topic and the other person came at it from just a slightly different angle than I had ever thought of, and it was revelatory.

And so I walked home feeling full and fortunate. Not only had I met with friends today, I had met with God. At different points in those conversations I heard Him talking to me. I thanked Him for it, as I walked in the park by our house.

When I got near our building, I could see lights on in our windows. From the street I could just see the top of Mr.'s head as he sat at his desk. My home felt warm and welcoming, just waiting for me. 

It turned out to be a great day. So much better than the one I had planned.