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Who Said It … Tim Kimmel

Tim Kimmel is the executive director of the non-profit ministry Family Matters, whose goal is to build great family relationships by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents for every age and stage of life. He has authored many books including Little House on the Freeway, Grace Based Parenting, and In Praise of Plan B. Tim and his wife, Darcy, have four children and an increasing number of grandchildren.

What He Said … Patron Saint of Plan B

When I sat down so long ago to write down my goals and set my path for the future, I didn't plan on the rocks that would block my way or the scars that would crisscross my will. Back then I believed that plans had power and that success was just skill and talent harnessed to the right opportunity.

But somewhere along my drive through the dreams I paved in my mind, I hit some potholes. And then life laid out some speed bumps that wrecked my alignment and broke my concentration. It was hard to learn such a big lesson so early, yet it was probably for the best.

Reality pulled my ear up close to her lips and whispered the truth: "Life's not fair, boy. Accept it. You'll last longer."

I denied that truth for a while and then fought it for a long time. But little by little, that truth began to wash away the illusion I had embraced as a young man.

So here I sit, neither by default nor in defeat, the patron saint of Plan B. [continued 8/1]

This Week's Key Study Passage: Psalm 73

Adapted from In Praise of Plan B (Zondervan, 2010) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2011 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Dear Father, help me understand that even my failures and disappointments can be used for good, as they can take me on a journey that leads to a full and satisfying life that brings you glory.

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