Saturday, January 17, 2009

"Lord willin' and the creek don't rise..."

I like the Arab/Muslim custom of finishing off sentences that propose future actions with the phrase "insha'allah." If Allah wills it. It's such a great tribute to the fact that we have no control over our actions in any moment other than the one in which we currently find ourselves. I wish that the habit of saying, "Lord willing" were more common in our society, so I didn't feel like such a country bumpkin or self-righteous prig when I really want to emphasize my lack of authority.
Of course, most of the time I glibly make my plans and assume that everything and everyone involved will fall in line.
We are not going to Ocracoke Island, due to uncontrollable circumstances, namely, births and deaths. Big bummer for all of us... it nearly ruined my morning.

[Look here, you people who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog -- it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to , we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15]

If the Lord wants me to, I will go to Asheville later this week and then to Greensboro to say goodbye. And if not, maybe holding a looser grip on plans and a more realistic view of my authority will help my recovery time and attitude.

Then I will pack my bags, hang out with family, and move to Bogota.
...Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

2 comments:

Leah said...

there ain't no creek between you and i. the lord had better will it that you come one last time.

Anonymous said...

Hey Emily! all the best in Bogota! A big hello to everyone from me please!