Why Me?
Subtitle: There Will Be Days Like These
Yesterday, I got to work and started to unpack things from my bag, just as I normally do. I pulled out my big, insulated water bottle and held it against my body to leave my hands free. I quickly discovered that I had grapefruit juice down the front of my light colored top. Why me? Packing my lunch the night prior, I put some grapefruit slices in a container. I strained them and the container had a rubber gasket in the lid and four tightly snapped clasps. I thought about putting it in a ziploc baggie as I usually do, but thought, “It’s never leaked before.” I further discovered grapefruit juice in the bottom of my brand new bag that I had just gotten as a gift for Christmas. I went about cleaning up my bag and my shirt, but when I opened up my insulated lunch pouch to clean it up, it was dry. Huh? How did that happen?!? How did it leak in my bag and get on my shirt and not even wet the pouch it was in? The closest I can guess is that the spot that leaked from the container was perfectly aligned with the corner of the zipper on the pouch and dripped through it without wetting the pouch. I could not do that if I tried!
Some people might call this Murphy’s Law…anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Or is it the Devil trying to pull us down and keep us distracted? Oh, did I mention that at 5:00am on this same morning, I pulled myself out of bed, wrapped my robe around me, and went to the bathroom. I stood up and as I tied the belt, I discovered that the belt end had landed in the toilet bowl. I was slopping toilet water around the bathroom. I know…gross! Ugh…my life is just a comedy of errors! Why me?!? For the last several weeks, I have been feeling overwhelmed by little things that seem to go wrong every few minutes. Yesterday, I thought, “There must be a story in here.”
Again this morning, my day starts with a 5:00am alarm. Thankfully, no toilet mishaps. Whew! While going about my usual morning routine, I take a gulp of coffee. Several weeks back, I had the flu and still have a little residual cough. The coffee hit my throat funny and before I could swallow, a coughing fit came on. I tried so hard to hold it in, but of course, I wind up spraying my mouthful of coffee across my bedroom. Why me?!? Right now you’re saying, “This woman is a trainwreck.” I cleaned it up and finally got out of the door. Leaving my deck, I have a gate at the top of the steps. I open the gate, start down the steps, and close the gate behind me. Suddenly, I am yanked to a stop. The lanyard on my keys was sticking out of my bag and managed to lasso the latch. Another, I couldn’t do this if I tried. I untangled everything and made it to my car. Arriving at work, I see someone else pulling into my favorite parking spot. Missed it by five seconds! Why me?!? “This story is happening today.”
Yes, apparently, my life is a comedy of errors. I know you too sometimes have days like these. We all do. Sometimes we feel like the whole world is out to get us. And yes, I do believe that much of it is the Devil trying to keep us off kilter, and distracted, and ungrateful. We must remain mindful of this. It is easy to let these daily unpleasantries make us angry and have an ugly disposition. This is not who I want to be. This is not who God wants us to be. All that does is make us unappreciative and ungracious toward all that God does for us and keeps us from being a light in this world. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
This morning, I found myself saying, “If these are my problems, thank God!” For the most part, I am in good health. I have a beautiful family who loves me. I have a decent income. I have many talents that I enjoy. I’m not in an abusive relationship. I have food to eat. My children are healthy and gainfully employed. My beautiful granddaughter is healthy. I have a wonderful church family. These past few weeks, I have had an ongoing back issue flare up and I quickly was reminded that nearly all house chores involve bending over in some way. “If these are my problems, thank God!” I have a home to do chores in. I live in a country that allows women to own property. I don’t live in a country ravaged by war or famine. And I live in a country that allows me to worship my Lord and Savior without fear of persecution. So in all things, including your problems, give thanks to the Lord. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Our lives are in the Lord’s hands, His plans, and in His time. Remember and be ever mindful of the Devil at your heels…always trying to trip you up. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11)
I hope you were able to have a few chuckles at my expense. (And I hope I have a better morning tomorrow morning!) Have you had days like these? Please share some of your “Why Me’s?” Or should we call them daily bloopers?
