When Your Script Gets Trashed

Posted on June 30, 2010
Filed Under History, Personal |

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

One of the most persistent sins of mankind is the deeply held truth that we need to get our own way.

Often times we have a pretty clear script of how things are supposed to play out and sometimes we will do crazy things to make those scripts come true.

However…There are a couple problems with this.
1. We do not have the only script on the set.
2. God’s script always wins.

Now I know both of these very well, but I still get disappointed when my script gets trashed.

Recently, I had my heart set on a beautiful play.

It didn’t happen. Why?
1. We do not have the only script on the set.
2. God’s script always wins.

Let me give you an example of how this works.

I have, for some time, been wanting to take a picture of a full moon as it was setting on Pike’s Peak. I consulted with my friend, Ted, who has a great understanding of celestial movements. He gave me the approximate date and time of when I should position myself to catch the full moon setting on the mountains. When I say “setting”, I could really say “sitting” because that is what I wanted: the moon just resting on the mountain tops.

That, at least, was what I had written in my script.

So, Monday morning, I got up earlier than usual and got through my “first things” in time to pack up my two cameras, tripods and head for the perfect spot that I had scouted out the day before. The sky was perfect as well. No clouds, crisp dawn, clear air. The moon was still well up in the sky, so I had plenty of time to get set up and then I waited…and watched. The moon was doing exactly what the moon was supposed to do…following the elliptical path, headed for its scripted setting…and my cameras were ready…focused and poised. A few more minutes and I would have it.

Then, my script got interrupted by someone else’s.

My phone rang. It was the dentist’s office. I had been awakened for several nights with a very severe pain in my lower jaw. It seemed to be coming from behind my last molar. So, I finally gave in and called my dentist and requested they work me in as soon as possible. I was flying out early Tuesday morning and I didn’t want to leave town with something seriously wrong in a spot so close to my brain. The very kind lady on the other end of the line was telling me that my dentist had arranged to fit me in, but I needed to get there immediately.

I paused and looked at my tripods. Then I looked at the moon. Fifteen more minutes I thought. That’s all. Fifteen more minutes. But then I would have to get home, get changed, brush my teeth (no one goes to the dentist without brushing…twice).

So, I sighed, told her I was on my way, snapped two pictures and packed up.

So much for my script.

However, I’m sitting in Dallas right now having finished speaking three times at the National Religious Broadcasters Research Symposium and I am so very thankful that my dentist took care of the pain. It would have been difficult for people to hear what I was saying over the moaning and groaning!

The point is…we need to hold our scripts with a very loose hand.

There will be more full moons setting over the mountains (my friend assured me of this).

Have you been disappointed lately?

Have you been angry?

Have you been discouraged? Upset? Saddened?

All of these are the results of what happens when someone trashes your script. It doesn’t need to be a vicious trashing. It usually isn’t. It is usually just the stuff of life.

And, of course, it is always God’s sovereignty at work.

So why do we get so concerned, bothered, angry, upset, disappointed, discouraged…?

Because we love our script more than His.

Some day I’m hoping to learn this lesson: write my scripts in pencil, not ink.

Comments

18 Responses to “When Your Script Gets Trashed”

  1. Britney on July 1st, 2010 6:33 am

    This is so true and a life lesson every day from a journalistic point of view. I couldn’t help but laugh as I read it with one of my many story drafts sitting next to the laptop. I could write up a story thinking its the best I’ve written yet then have returned all inked up. After multiple drafts I just want to scream, “Just approve it already!”

    But then my story wouldn’t tell my subject’s story with all that it is due would it? It would be painful to read without my editor’s red ink.

    Thank you Dr. Tackett, I needed this.

  2. Melanie on July 1st, 2010 8:17 am

    Thank you. I needed to be reminded. I had my free summer all planned and then my pastor had a very bad bicycle accident. I am the one who always watches the pastor’s Great Danes when he and his wife go on a trip. So there goes my summer, but what a wonderful way to serve God and them as he heals in the hospital. God’s script is better, even when you feel you are just one of the walk on extras in the play.

  3. Mark on July 1st, 2010 8:18 am

    I needed this today. I have been out of work for 5 months and hope to get a job offer today but I know (and learning) that if I don’t it is because his script is better.

  4. Vicky on July 1st, 2010 8:39 am

    Wow, once again He comes through. My oldest daughter has been giving me stress and grief and I have been at my whits end with her (you know, as a mother trying to fix everything). As things are certainly not turning out the way I want them to, I needed to be reminded that if you want to hear God laugh, tell him you have a plan for your life. Thank you for the reminder.

  5. Debra on July 1st, 2010 8:45 am

    I was reading Matthew 6 a few days ago and God was really impressing me with this truth. He knows and cares about EVERYTHING in our lives and His plans are ALWAYS the best and not to worry. He is so wonderful and awesome!

    Bless you.

  6. Faith on July 1st, 2010 10:35 am

    Oh I enjoyed reading that so much! It struck home to me as that has been a problem for me most of my life..wanting to do what I want to do and just nearly falling apart if things did’nt go my way.
    Thank you so much for this article, Dr. Tackett.

  7. Tony on July 1st, 2010 11:18 am

    We need to look at our entire script, not just a sentence every here and there. There are two heavy trials I am currently going through. If I focused on these, then I would overlook the blessing of a really beautiful sunrise I captured with my camera Easter Sunday morning, or the encouragement of someone who lent me a shoulder to lean on when I become discouraged. If I frowned upon having my phone ring at what may seem to be the worst possible time, then it is possible for me to deny myself the blessing of helping someone in their time of need. While my future script may be written in pencil, it is a blessing that my past script is written in ink.

  8. Kaylene on July 1st, 2010 11:41 am

    We do love and want our own script more than His! Simple and True, that takes all the dissapointment out of my messed up plans and makes me thankful when I see it as God’s plan:)

  9. Susan on July 1st, 2010 10:04 pm

    Wow, this is excellent! God’s script has had me unemployed for the past 16+ months. Obviously MY script didn’t have that, but I’ve learned a lot during this time and have grown spiritually. God has provided for my needs in ways I couldn’t even begin to imagine! I hope that His “perfect timing” all comes to fruition soon!!

  10. Martha on July 1st, 2010 10:57 pm

    Wow! Thanks so much for letting the Holy Spirit work through you in posting this timely message. Its almost 1am and I couldn’t sleep for stewing over the fact that my dear friend cancels on me so much. In fact both my friend and my son cancelled on me for tomorrow. I am disabled with a painful back condition so my days seem lonely and long. But your message has encouraged me to look for what the Lord wants for my tomorrow rather than being “angry, upset, discouraged or saddened” when what I had planned doesn’t pan out.

  11. Colleen on July 2nd, 2010 1:11 am

    I find it amazing to see how quickly we forget what we have just learnt! Pray for Grace to keep us from getting angry, frustrated when our scripts are trashed.. after we think we have learnt the lesson. GREAT REMINDER Dr.Tackett, thank you!

  12. Dan H. on July 2nd, 2010 7:27 am

    Dr. Del,

    You said: “The point is …we need to hold our scripts with a very loose hand.” And you’re so right…

    Correspondingly, I would add that we need to hold onto His script - His word, very tightly! ;-)

    Again, thanks for your insight…

    Dan H.

  13. Meagan on July 2nd, 2010 10:29 am

    I was just thinking about that this morning! I am on a trip that got extended by a couple of weeks and I was in a panic. Feeling trapped, wanting to go home, and being probably a pain to everyone around me. And I had to stop myself and realize that time is not my own. Guess we have to keep learning that lesson until we are fully sanctified. Lol.

  14. Chris on July 2nd, 2010 7:55 pm

    Dear Del,
    This is a lesson God has reiterated with me more times than I can count. You know how some people choose a life verse, something that seems very central to their relationship to God? Well, mine is Jeremiah 6:16-17. However, I think God has also picked out a thematic “life” verse for me that is a bit different. That would be Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”

    I’ve learned to make plans, but to hold them very lightly because even when I think I know what God has planned for me, I’m usually wrong, and He takes me in a totally different direction.

    But as you say, God’s script always wins, and may He be every glorified for it.

  15. Ray on July 3rd, 2010 9:44 am

    I had major surgery some weeks ago that will improve my ability to walk. First reaction, not fast enough. However I am reminded that God is in control.

  16. peggy on August 7th, 2010 6:44 pm

    This is so true. The longer I live the more I see that when I have set up my own expectations for almost anything, God changes the situation. His direction always trumps my expectations and while it is hard to understand at times, I know that He is our source, director and provider. I am only His follower and receiver of His guidance. He is always right. I rarely am.
    [Amen, Peggy! DT]

  17. Viviane on August 9th, 2010 6:21 pm

    I am the mother of a handicapped child. I really don’t think that ‘trashed’ is an appropriate word to be using. My son will always be a child. What I really enjoy doing is playing with him. I will always be forever young. I wouldn’t say that my plans were trashed, but I would say they have been changed. I graduated at the top of my class at Montclair State University, planning on going for my CPA. I graduated from Montclair state not in debt. I worked my way through college. I helped my mother bury my father. I helped my husband get through school. I became a Christian despite my Episcopal upbringing. I am a trooper, not trash.
    [Viviane, I must have failed to communicate. :) I never intended to imply that you are trash, but that we often have our own "scripts" that God changes. When that happens, we have to throw our script in the trash and accept His plan. You have obviously done that with your child. Your loving care for him is an example to all of us. No, you are not trash. DT]

  18. Viviane on August 11th, 2010 2:24 pm

    Thank you. I think I failed to understand your story fully. (I am always moving too fast!) Thank you for your explanation. I understand now.

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