When Plan A Never Included a Plan B
Back in November I wrote a post about what I had been dreaming about. It included this building and a master vision for what I believed was the next step for NeighborLink Fort Wayne. That vision included all the needed and expanded growth at NLFW, plus a whole new area of work that involved comprehensive neighborhood development. I had, and still do, big plans for this neighborhood. I felt pretty strongly that these weren't my "personal plans," but the culmination of the plans and dreams of many who live and work in this area of town.
The plans for this particular building died on Monday when it's owner signed the paperwork to sell it to someone else. Without going into all the details, it was a long process of going two steps forward and one step back. We had just been approved to purchase the building, but were just a bit late to make the deal happen. If you see me or would like to know the full story, I'd be happy to fill in you in over coffee or a beer. The selling of the building to the other buyer was the absolute right thing and what I would have done if I was in the sellers shoes. Just disappointed.
People have been naturally asking, "What's Next? Do you have another building in mind?" I simply say, no. There was never another building in my mind that matched the vision. There was only ever a Plan A to be pursued. To be fair to that statement about no Plan B, there are few commercial properties available in this neighborhood in general, and even fewer on the inside of the neighborhood, which is important to bridge the gap between our existing work and our future efforts. But, it was always this building, which makes it even harder. Plus, it was never about another neighborhood. Sure, I've thought about other neighborhoods that need the type of work we were hoping to pull off, but our staff is personally disconnected from those neighborhoods. Without personal investment, could we really call ourselves neighbors? I'm not so sure. Could we do good work still, yes.
I've been going back and forth trying to figure out whether no Plan B determines my ability to lead NL well. Part of me believes that a leader with no Plan B clearly hasn't done all the work necessary to fully vet the idea. If the idea is good, it can be done in another building. It definitely could and I'm not done pursuing other opportunities in that neighborhood. Another building or even building our own are two options. I'm considering other neighborhoods. I've not given up.
But, I'm more and more ok with not having an immediate Plan B. I feel at peace with it all because so much of it didn't revolve around my ability to make effective decisions. We were moving on faith and good intuition that a funding source would open up, and it did in the end. The process was wrapped up in many other partners, which I'm incredibly grateful for all their hard work and support. The City of Fort Wayne was brilliant to work with on this project. They love NeighborLink and believe in us more than just about anyone else. It's humbling to know that we are loved and supported so well locally, which gives us confidence that we're making an difference.
Having no Plan B to me says that this vision was more the Lord's vision than my own, and I did my best to be obedient to the call. Having no Plan B requires us to stay in a posture of following the Spirit rather than moving quickly on to the next best thing. I trust that Plan A was preparation for a Plan B yet to be written.
What I do know is that Plan B will come in like lighting and we'll already be ahead of where we were when Plan A came together. So, if you know of some other properties in the downtown area, let me know.
