A Comedy of Errors

“Am I on Candid Camera?”

“Seriously, is someone messing with me?”

Those phrases have been rolling around in my head all day. Seriously, nothing has happened as it should. For every step forward I'd take, I’d then take three giant steps backward. I’ve majorly misspoken, been chewed out, driven all over this town, paid more money than I wanted (though not as much as I could’ve) on my car and on tickets, sweat through my silk shirt (yes, I’m that gross), made less than a dent in the mountain of work I’ve got on my plate… and the list goes on. I swear. I can’t get it together today.

Then, in the middle of it all, I got a wake up call.

I was sitting in line waiting to pay my ticket - having the biggest pity party you’ve ever seen - when this lady walked in and sat next to me. She strikes up a conversation and ends up spilling her guts that her 92-year-old mother had a stroke this morning, her own health care coverage was dropped today because of her own issues, she was having some demolition done at her house that she wasn’t able to oversee because she needed to be in town with her mom, her ticket was due to be paid today, and to top things off, it was her birthday.

So at this point, I realize my day wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, I had one of those moments looking into that poor woman’s eyes where I remembered that God is in control, even when times are unbearable. I’ve seen Him work in mighty ways, and He has personally blessed me richly that I might share His comfort and joy with others. So I asked her for her name. It’s Theresa. I told her that I would be praying for her and her family because God is strong enough to take on our biggest struggles. She thanked me and we parted ways.

I don’t know what your day has been like, but I’m really sorry if you haven’t enjoyed it. I haven’t enjoyed mine much either. But I encourage you to hold on to the good because that’s where you’ll find God.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. - 1 Thessalonians 5:15-21

Lastly, I also want to ask you to pray for Theresa and her family. She’s having a rough time, and my hope is that her life will change when she sees how much God cares for her.