Knowing when to give up

If you’re anything like me, I like to plan. I like to know what is going on, and to be prepared, at least with the big picture, a month or more in advance. Right now, I've almost got the scope and sequence for my next year in place (September to August). But one thing I've finally learned over my 4 years of full time ministry is that sometime you have to give up.

For example, I love to write. Most of the curriculum I use is stuff I've written. But two weeks ago we moved our entire children’s ministry into a brand new facility, which required a lot of prep work. So for the past month, if it wasn't already written, we did a video from LiveChurch.tv. Their bottom lines weren't exactly what I wanted to teach with the bible stories we were covering, but the only other option was losing my mind, and most likely developing an ulcer. So I gave up my idea of perfect for what was perfect enough. And no one knew the difference.

Something that is important to realize in any ministry, and maybe more-so in children’s ministry is that sometimes less than perfect, is perfect. My kids never knew the difference that the bottom line wasn't what I had planned a year ago. And actually a couple parents commented on the changed topic in positive light. Not only this, giving up my planned perfect gave me the chance to minister to more people and interact with more of my leaders than I would have had time for if I had still tried to write all of my own lessons.

Sometimes you have to give up. Have you ever given up?