DAY 139 -- Faith in His Knowedge of Things that Are

It is so easy to get frustrated with "things."  I get it in my mind how things will go, how they should go, and almost immediately, things fall apart.  The plans I made are laughable.  As carefully laid plans fall apart, especially after I spent so long planning on them, I question, "why plan", why try to put into play the plans I made.

The plans for our upcoming mission are also carefully laid out.  So we do what we need to do to realize those plans.  However, when they too, fall apart, I question what the value of plans are.

Elder Holland says we should dream dreams and see visions and then work toward them. That involves making plans to realize dreams and visions.  But as those plans fall apart, the dreams and visions are still alive, but there is much turmoil about realizing those dreams.  Carefully laid plans and actions aren't done, and thus we feel that it is all a waste. 

Then I am reminded of that principle we need to live by, Faith. 

For instance:  Bonnie and I plan on going to the temple on Tuesday Night.  We arrange our un-cluttered life and plan on going about 6.  Then as we work toward that, everything gets in the way.  We run out of gas.  We have a daughter ask if we can come and tend a grand child.  We can't find our blue and pink cards.  Our temple cloths are not available, and so forth.

Another:  I plan on losing weight before we go on a mission.  Usually that requires exercise, active struggle and perspiration.  Then things happen that won't let me exercise and I lose faith in that goal.  I plead and beg Father so I can realize that goal and/or dream, but perhaps that thorn is one similar to the one that Paul of the New Testament had to struggle with. 

I guess that is when Faith comes in.  Do I really believe that Father is aware of who and what, and where I am?  Do I really believe that He is aware of and involved with every aspect of my life?  Do I really know that He loves me, knows of the desires of my heart?  Can I live by faith, knowing that He loves me, knows of these disappointments, and does not judge me harshly?

If I lived with faith in my Father, I would not stress out over small and insignificant things, even goals and dreams that are not realized as I wish.  Even  in any event in my life, would I have faith in His ever nurturing care and understanding, even at the face of failure, misunderstanding, and such.

I just need to strengthen my faith and exercise it in the things that I know to be true, that Father is ever present in my life, knowing all and loving me in spite of failures.  Even when plans blow up in my face.