prepared in advance

So there I was, fairly new at the whole youth ministry atmosphere. I had planned out an entire night of games, some outside and quite involved, some inside and not so crazy, but all in all they were fun. They were games that I had planned out for several months just to have a kick off type of youth night for the new school year. I had games to fit every personality and every little mini-clique we had in the group. Athletic games for the jocks, sit down thinking games for the brainiacs, and everything in between. I was excited, we advertised the night, got all set and then it happened. First, in the morning it rained so the outside games were not going to be so attractive to some of the kids that don't like to get dirty. Then, I found out that there was a schedule conflict with a highschool football meeting that would knock out some of my most faithful as well as their friends. And ofcourse I had a family out of town that accounted for about 5 kids so that hit hard. But, as they say the show must go on. We had about 1/4 the kids I had planned for, most of them did not like the outside games and none of them participated wholeheartedly. It was a major let down, and it still stings a bit today now 6 years later.
I go through situations like that from time to time today. A sermon that I seem to focus on someone as I am planning it. Feeling like it should touch them in some way or motivate a certain person and then they don't show up that Sunday. All of these can be most frustrating.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
Think about how God feels when His house is open on Sundays and we aren't there. Or when we skip our quiet times, or when we don't show up somewhere that there was a major blessing prepared for us. Every time we don't answer to God's calling, or don't do the things that God has asked us to do we miss out on a potential life changing event whether big or small. Every time I skip out on something that I feel God has led me to be a part of I feel those overwhelming disappointments that I have experienced and know that I must be 10 times the disappointment to God many times.
We know where we should be and what we should be doing for God, let's make every effort to get there and be a part of the things GOd has planned for us.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!