Our son Hans and his family live in north England in a beautiful town that’s surrounded by rolling green hills. The moist, temperate climate is ideal for growing things, and each year Hans takes pleasure in making his own yard as beautiful as those of his gardening clients. He involves his children in the process and is teaching them how to nurture and nourish many different plantings.

As these youngsters help, they’re also getting Hans’ perspective on God’s integral part in all growing things. They’re learning the laws of sowing and reaping and are being taught that preparing, tending, and waiting are all part of a good harvest.

These Nymans have been preparing their yard for the growth of summer, but that’s not the only thing they’re getting ready for. Any day now their mummy, Katy, will labor to bring a new little somebody into this world. He or she will bring their brood to 5 children in 6 years.

Katy has prepared for the new baby by unpacking all the tiny clothes and other equipment, by cooking and freezing scores of meals ahead, and by mentally gearing up for the needs of a newborn.

Hans has been preparing, too, by rearranging bedrooms, painting the nursery, organizing for time off work, and giving Katy as much rest-time as possible.

Any project, plan, or possession that’s valuable is worth preparing for, and that’s especially true of new babies! Yet  as we go through life, all of our best laid plans can never be a sure thing.

The only planner who can be sure he has thoroughly covered all the bases and knows the exact outcome is God. We may have 20/20 vision looking back, but he’s got it looking forward, too. While we may only be able to guess at how things will go, he can be sure.

That’s why it’s a good idea for us to submit every decision to his guidance. The odds of disappointment go way down, and the probability of success skyrockets. Although God definitely wants us to have a part in preparation, counting the cost ahead of time if we can, the final result is up to him.

Katy and Hans have been doing an excellent job preparing for their new baby, but exactly who he or she really is, is God’s special surprise. And the children have been helping Hans prepare the family garden, but even there, the growth is all up to God.

And so we’re left to walk that fine line between under- and- over- preparing, often not quite sure what it’s supposed to look like. Thankfully the Lord is eager to work with us either way, as long as we leave room for his perfect plans to fill in between our imperfect ones. That way, the end-result is bound to be good.

“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:20)