Details, Details...

I knew I was going to forget something really important.

After weeks of making lists and packing items carefully, I was sure I remembered everything. My detail nature had all the little things packed Dale and David would need for their month-long stay in the jungle. In a small cosmetic bag, I packed all the office supplies they might need – small sissors, a mini stapler, tape, glue stick, safety pins, paper clips, pencils, pens, tiny calculator, pencil sharpener, etc.

In another container I packed the silverware – forks, spoons, knives, can opener, pot scrubber and other basics for cooking. I found 6 thin, light picnic plates and shoved those along with a set of bed sheets in the skinny front zipper pocket of the suitcase. Then onto the medical things he might need- medicines for pain, allergies, stomach upsets, malaria, bug bites, sunburn, bandages, and even disposable syringes in case he or David needed a shot.

Then I went over the shopping list of all the items they would need to buy in Kiunga for the stay at Yehebi. Everything was neatly put in the computer and printed out the day before Dale left.

I am such a mother. I’ve just got to make sure my family has what it needs.

Yesterday when we were putting in the last-minute things, we decided to make a carry-on suitcase change. I ran to get the laptop to see if it would fit. Everything went in smoothly. We zipped up the bags and left for the airport. We said our Goodbyes, and off Dale goes on the 30+ hour trip to Papua New Guinea.

After arriving home, I realized I didn’t pack the power cord to the computer!

Oops.

Now I’m not taking all the blame here, because I do have a hubby with a brain, too. In the suitcase switch, we missed a very important detail.

Sometimes in life, it seems God forgets important details – like me going to PNG with Dale! I’ll admit I was a little bummed out yesterday afternoon at not getting to go visit the Gobasis. If the support funds would have come in, Matt and I would have been on the plane with him.

Didn’t God forget something? After all, I got left behind. However, amidst my disappointment, I do have to trust that God has a plan for me to stay behind. What that plan is, I’m not sure. Maybe we have lessons we need to learn; maybe the trip would have been too hard for us all; or maybe God has a purpose we may never know.
In times of disappointment, I need to remember God’s promises:

“For I know the plans I have for you…” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“As for God, his ways are perfect...” (2 Samuel 22:31)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)

Many other verses come to mind as well.

Just as I strived to remember everything to pack for the trip, I still forgot something! Thank goodness that God doesn’t forget things when He orchestrates our lives. I believe He is very interested in all the details, the little ones and the big ones. When it seems to us that He’s missed something, then that’s where we trust in the plan He has, even if it’s disappointing.

As Dale reminded me, “[We] shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55: 12). God has a plan!

Oh, and I have a plan, too. David leaves on Wednesday to follow Dale to PNG; I’ll send the computer power cord then. It’s already waiting in the “to go” pile!