Presence Before Planning

At our May 2026 retreat, we talked about priorities, the things we actually give our attention, time, and energy to.

Amy shared this little acronym:

P – Presence before planning
R – Relationship instead of religion
I – Intimacy over activity
O – Obedience before objection
R – Rest instead of results
I – Investment instead of indifference
T – Trust even in tension
Y – Yield your agenda for His

I think many of us live exhausted because we keep putting planning before presence.

We plan.
Organise.
Rush.
React.
Problem-solve.
Carry everyone else.

Meanwhile, our souls quietly become dry.

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet while others were distracted by activity, and Jesus said she had chosen “what is better.”

Not because serving is wrong.
Not because responsibilities disappear.
But because presence changes us.

I wonder how different our days would feel if we paused before immediately reaching for our phones, to-do lists, worries, or pressures.

Even five quiet minutes with God can recentre a weary heart.

This week, before planning everything else…why not seek His presence first?