Ever have a day that is just awesome and totally rocks your world?
And then have you ever experienced something at the end of that awesome day that rocks your world in a less positive way?
Yep. It happened to me just a couple of weeks ago.
I had planned several weeks in advance to take a bit of a sabbatical day from ministry, blogging, writing, working etc. I was super excited because it was going to be a filled with Me Time… I started out with Quiet Time with Jesus (of course) then headed out into the world for a day of relaxation and rejoicing. First stop? Starbucks… It was free because I had a gift card left over from Christmas. (And a real treat because I don’t get Starbucks very often. I love it– but it adds up quick financially!)
From there, I got my “hair did” (aka the super long thick unmanageable preggo hair cut off and thinned out– it was like I lost 8 lbs immediately. Can you say FREEDOM!?!) Then I hit up the mall to just wander around and get my rings cleaned and inspected (FREE & SHINY!) Soon it was lunchtime, so I grabbed lunch at the food court. (Chinese, anyone?)
Afterwards, I headed to redeem my free Prenatal massage. (Heaven.) Then I realized that I would be able to make it to the next showing of Les Miserables. (LEGIT!) So after my day of solo-dating myself, my heart was singing. I was praising God all day for the time to just chillax. It. Was. Awesome.
Easily one of the most heart-recharging days I have had in a long, long time.
I had a little time to spend at home before I headed back into town to meet with community group from church. I was still on a Jesus-happy-heart high from the day… Praising God.
But I never made it to community group. It’s a long story– but my rejoicing day ended in a wreck. Literally. A car wreck. (Driving in Georgia in the rain is never a good idea… but I digress.)
As I stood in the rain on the side of the road, calling 911 and my husband and watching the drivers of the two other vehicles involved, my heart was heavy. I looked at our poor car Ladybug and felt sick to my stomach. I had never even gotten a traffic ticket… And up until that point, had a great day. Now I was standing in the rain, 8+ months pregnant, wondering what the heck just happened .
I realized in that moment, I had a choice. I could flip out, become hysterical and curse the other drivers (or God) for “ruining” my awesome day. Or… I could praise God that I had a great day up until that point, that I was able to get out of my car, walk and stand in the rain– and not be carted away in an ambulance… Or worse.
While I did end up in the ER and Labor and Delivery later that evening (per baby doc’s orders just to be safe,) I laid there staring at the ceiling, trying to gather my nerves. All the while– I was rejoicing that while Ladybug the Vibe was likely totaled, our little baby and I were ok. It was a hard perspective to hold onto… But really, it HAD been a great day.
In life, we are all going to wreck– whether it’s being involved in a car wreck, a relationship wreck, a career wreck, whatever. Wrecks are going to happen. (Yay for living in a fallen world. SIGH.) But it is so important not to let a bad moment (aka a wreck) turn into a bad day. Or month. Or year.
In what ways can you (or have you) rejoice in the wrecks of life? It’s not easy– but with Christ, all things are possible. Feel free to comment below.
Here’s to living in His presence– and accepting the challenge that when we wreck– we can rejoice.
Praising Him for Protection and Provision,
SGK
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” ~Psalm 5:11
