Last weekend was our monthly get together with a group of friends we affectionately call “Our Gang.” Well, at least it was supposed to be.
I had eagerly told the gang when we saw each other for New Year’s Day brunch that the Shankland household would be hosting on Jan. 17. My husband John and I started to plan our menu.
As time went on, however, things began to unravel. John had asked for the 17th off, but due to his company having two booths at the Indianapolis Home Show, his employer couldn’t grant his request. No big deal, I would do the cooking, and he could join us later in the evening. I dug out my favorite chili recipe.
When one couple said they couldn’t make it, I was fine. We rarely have all nine of us around the table each month. Then two more friends said they couldn’t come.
As the weekend approached, I made sure the house was clean and the kitchen was stocked. It would be a smaller group – only five of us – but that would be okay. Heck, we could even play euchre, one of our favorite card games.
But then another couple told me they couldn’t make it, which left just one person … who was bringing cornbread. I love this friend, and I also love her cornbread. My heart sank.
Everyone certainly had good reasons why they couldn’t attend, and I understood them all. With a sigh, I texted our lone attendee to let her know we’d cancel for the month. And I threw a little pity party for myself.
Later that evening, I thought about how busy my Sunday was going to be. I typically set Sundays aside for rest and renewal. I figure if God rested on the seventh day, so should we. It always helps me have a better week. But that wasn’t going to happen.
Maybe this change in plans was to help me have a restful Saturday evening instead. Maybe I was meant to make a big pot of chili where I could freeze portions to enjoy on busy weeknights and share some with a neighbor.
So last Saturday, I deep cleaned a couple of rooms as planned. I like to deep clean in the winter vs. the spring … it’s too nice out then. I took a good nap. I savored slowly preparing the chili and letting it simmer.
I enjoyed a quiet evening on the couch as well as a fun Sunday with my church family and later, Our Gang. One of our friends retired and we went to a party in her honor.
As I thought back to my disappointment earlier in the week, I realized that this change of plans turned out to be a good thing. It was one of many times where God knew what I needed more than I did.
Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.