Plans. The best gift anyone can give me this new year is a planner. I likeplanners because I am a planner.I like thinking ahead.I like being prepared.I get a high from being on top of things. But some things are beyond planning. And life doesn't always turn out asplanned. You don't plan for a broken heart.You don't plan for a failed business venture.You don't plan for an adulterous husband.Or a wife who wants you out of her life.You don't plan for an autistic child.You don't plan for spinsterhood.You don't plan for a lump in your breast. You plan to be young forever. You plan to climb the corporate ladder.You plan to be rich and powerful. You plan to be acclaimed andsuccessful. You plan to conquer the universe.You plan to fall in love - and be lovedforever. You don't plan to be sad.You don't plan to be hurt.You don't plan to be broke.You don't plan to be betrayed.You don't plan to be alone in this world You plan to be happy. You don't plan to be shattered. Sometimes if youwork hard enough, you can get what you want. But most times, what youwant and what you get are two different things. We, mortals, plan. But so does God in the heavens.Sometimes, it is difficult to understand God's plans - especially whenHis plans are not in consonance with ours. Often, when God sends uscrisis, we turn to Him in anger.True, we cannot choose the cross that God wishe s us to carry, but wecan carry that cross with courage knowing that God will never abandon usnor send something we cannot cope with. Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul.Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.Sometimes, God sends us pain so we can be stronger.Sometimes, God sends us failure so we can be humble.Sometimes God sends us illness so we can take better care of ourselves.Sometimes, God takes everything away from us so we can learn the valueof everything He gave us. Make plans but understand that we live by God's grace. (forwarded email)