Thursday, December 07, 2006

"The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

That is the English rendering of words by Robert Burns (1759-1796), regarded as Scotland's national poet. His original words used the Scots dialect. Burns is considered by many to be a great influence on liberalism and socialism; hence we will not follow him there.

The phrase "Of Mice and Men" was borrowed by American writer John Steinbeck (1902-1968), for the title of his novel of the same name, published in 1937.

So, I borrowed the phrase from these two men to relate to you that my plan to go to Puerto Rico last week fell through. This was to be my fourth trip there and I greatly anticipated it, but, for now, it is postponed. I am needing some extensive dental work, but I thought I could have that done when I returned, yet intense pain changed my mind. I am getting the dental work done now, then, God willing, I will go to PR in late winter or early spring.

Yes, I am disappointed, but yield to the providence of God. One with more authority than Burns or Steinbeck--the Almighty Himself-- speaking through His servant James said: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:14, 15). So, Deo Volante (Latin; God willing). I'll yield and gratefully live by that. My dear friends in the churches there were gracious and understanding, thank God.

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