"Just keep swimming"

It's one of those days... The further into it I get, the deeper I seem to be wading. If I lived in a river, I'd be in the midst of a swirling, rising flood!

I wonder why I have to spend more time and money on my son's science experiment than he does? Really!

I wonder why the people at the store are so grumpy? After all, whether they are happy or not, we'll be there, with purchases and questions. Why not make the most of it?

I wonder why today is the day to get sad news? And some bad news.

YET... The further into it I get, the more I understand that I don't do it alone. With each tough moment, God is right there. He knew long before today that it wouldn't go smoothly. He was ready for it. So, while the day is exhausting, I also realize...

At least my son gets the opportunity to do some independent learning. He might learn more about how to prepare for an experiment than any actual results. In the end, he will be better prepared for college, no matter how this goes.

If people are grumpy, I have the opportunity to make a difference. (Someone posted on my facebook page to "kill them with kindness" :D) So, I smile. I say thank you. I wait patiently, without any complaint, without checking my watch, without snide comment. I choose not to join them in the grump-fest.

Sad news and bad news are part of life. It's not always full of fun and happiness. When the tough stuff comes up, I can draw closer to God. I can lay my concerns, my hurts, my worries at His feet. Choosing to trust that He can restore any situation, I do not need to be consumed by worry.

As I wrote, laying all these crazy things before God, the doorbell rang. Not one, but TWO, Christmas gifts arrived at our door just now. God providing a little bit of fun in my dreary day.

While the flood rises, I choose to "just keep swimming..." knowing that God offers a life preserver when I need it. And a smile when I least expect it.