I guess I should have seen it coming.
It started a few weeks back when I began the booking process for my trip to Sacramento. I am going to a ADPAC board meeting as a New Dentist Liaison. For those of you snickering, I know that I am no longer truly a new dentist (the grey hairs and date on the diploma reflects that) but I began my committee appointment as a new dentist so they let me hang on and pretend to feel young. Anyway, as I was saying, when I started to book the flight I stared at the computer in disbelief as I discovered that a good flight schedule was nonexistent. The only flight to Sacramento is at 8:05 Eastern, which puts me at leaving my house at 4am. *sigh* And did I mention that the best option for the return flight is the red-eye, with a very tight connection in LA? *double sigh*
But who needs sleep anyway, right? So yesterday I finished work, came home, completed a conference call and started my packing. Since I have a tight connection on the return, I cannot check bags, so I feel a little proud of myself as I fit all my clothes and shoes into the microscopic carryon-sized suitcase. And then came my second indication of things to come. As I repacked my trusty travel toiletry bag, I reached in to empty it and an uncapped razor sliced my right ring fingertip. *sigh* Add bandaids to the toiletry bag.
The kids get off to bed, lots of sweet hugs because no one wants to voluntarily get up to see me off in the morning. And then comes the morning...
Annoying alarm. I hate beeps. Check the scale (ever hopeful because I am trying to get some last few Christmas pounds off)- No loss. Bad hair. Blurry, dry, baggy eyes. Sad attempt at makeup. Fix the coffee (finding that my wonderful husband has set the coffeemaker to come on so I do not have to wait on it to heat up *smile*). Out the door.
The car is outside, not in the garage because we are housing my dad's Model A Ford right now (since the Christmas parades), and I have put off the task of reorganizing the garage to make room for all the vehicles. This means that the car windows are frosted over, and as usual I forget this detail and did not turn the car on sooner to defrost. As I am getting my bags in the car, my coffee cup melts the frost on the top of the car and slides off, splattering my precious coffee all over my feet. I hold back tears. I get in the car and discover that I have not a moment to spare- no time to defrost, much less go make more coffee. So I have to open the window (did I mention that it is COLD?) to look backwards out the side of the car to back out of the driveway. Sadly, I have done this many times before because remembering to defrost car windows is not one of my character strengths. Well, maybe it was the bleary eyes, or me still mourning over the coffee, but I missed the driveway big time, hit the crepe myrtle by the street ,and now my car has no right rear quarter panel. Brent heard the crash and ran downstairs in time to pick up the big piece of fiberglass that fell off my car and wish me well as I got back into my gimped up car and drove away.
If you know me well, you know that I rarely slow down. I always have 1000 things to do, people to call back, reports to write, house projects to accomplish (though at this point I am thinking that I really should put off something else in order to bring garage reorganization to the top of the priority list). But car travel time is precious. I like quiet, no radio most of the time, but just thinking time. And I really needed it today. After about 30 minutes of silent peace and a few prayers, I finally turned on the radio and picked up a pastor on 93.3 out of Atlanta. No surprise- he was talking to me.
He was preaching from I Thessalonians 5:16-18. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I listened, humbled, and enjoyed the rest of my drive as my attitude and energy was renewed. Funny how that happens.
So I park and board the little bus and was greeted by the most spunky lady driver. She had no idea, but she was such a blessing to me. Her cheerful demeanor at this early hour (6:45 my time) was the best thing that had happened to me so far in this bummer of a morning. I do not believe in coincidences- I believe that God placed her there on my parking row just so she could help turn my attitude and point me to a different mindset. She had us laughing on the way to the drop off. Unbelievable. Blessed.
Since then, things have looked up considerably! But let me be clear here- it is not because the circumstances in my life started going right. The guy in front of me at security jerked his bag over my foot, made it bleed, and never even turned around to look. At least I packed bandaids. I FINALLY got coffee and it was the worst cup I think I have ever been served at a coffee stand. I couldn't even drink it. But "coincidentally" there was another Seattle's best right next door to my gate and a wonderful man working there made me another one for free. I have realized that I left my phone charger, earphones, and airplane laptop adapter at home. Completely forgot to pack them. No chewing gum for the flight, and my ears are terrible at flying. And I am not sure any of you have ever tried to type and use a laptop with a bandaged middle finger, but trust me, you use that finger a LOT. Bandaids hang on the little buttons, and scrolling on the little sensor is impossible.
But as I put things in perspective, I remember the apostle Paul's instruction- rejoice ALWAYS. Pray CONTINUALLY. Give thanks in ALL circumstances. I am thankful that I have reliable transportation, even without a rear quarter panel. I am thankful that I have use of my hands and feet, even if bandaged. I am thankful for the privilege of going to meetings with esteemed colleagues, even if it does mean a crappy flight schedule and a little time away from home.
I am not sure what is waiting for me in California, but I am ready to face it with smiles and praise. I can see the snow covered mountains out my tiny airplane window and am reminded of God's greatness. He created such an awesome masterpiece, yet still cares enough for little me that He would speak through a radio pastor and bus driver to teach me perspective, and hammer my flawed character to reflect Him just a little bit more.
