I got up and stumbled toward the coffee pot. Lying on the kitchen table was a sweet Mother’s Day card and two bags of my favorite chocolate. Tim has done that since I was carrying Sara. He had to work that day, so he left my goodies on the table while I was still asleep.

I guess that made him my Santa because I squealed like a little kid on Christmas morning and tore into one of the bags. I drank some hot coffee and savored my chocolate. I had no idea that would be the best part of my whole day.

I tied up the trash bag and sat it in front of the kitchen door. From that point on, I ran behind. A few minutes later, I grabbed my Bible and ran out the kitchen door without another look back.

After church, I went out to Mom’s to help her cook lunch. Since it was hot, I parked under a tree in her yard and lowered my window. Before I got out, I gave the cap on my Diet Dr. Pepper a quick twist. The next thing I knew, I was holding an erupting Mount Saint Helens in my hand. Diet Dr. Pepper spewed all over me and the inside of my Jeep.

Sticky and wet, I went into Mom’s and cleaned myself off. She gave me her 409 and some paper towels to clean my Jeep. No break for me. As soon as I finished, I ran back in and helped her with the cooking. After we ate, I helped to clean her kitchen. By that time, I was ready to go home and take a nap. Personally, I don’t like naps, but that day I needed one.

As I walked to my Jeep, I noticed movement in it. My heart skipped a beat. Was somebody trying to steal it? Did I need to go back inside, lock the doors, and call 911?

I tiptoed up closer to see a black blob bouncing around inside. I edged up a little more and realized it was a bird that was trapped inside my car. Unfortunately, it must have flown in through where I had lowered my window

Splat. Splat. The bird flew from window to window.

I didn’t want it to hurt itself. I ran and opened the back hatch, but it was too panicked to fly out. Then I opened the doors and it flew away. Again, I had another mess to clean up. Too bad it wasn’t Diet Dr. Pepper this time. Back I go to my mom’s for more 409 and paper towels. She asked, “What’s happened to you now?”
Finally, I pulled into my garage. I couldn’t wait to stretch out in the recliner, watch TV, and eat more of my chocolate. I opened the door into the kitchen and my heart sank.

“Little John!” I bellowed.

The trash bag from that morning lay gutted on the kitchen floor. Our miniature dachshund, Little John, had gotten into it and had himself a party. Coffee grounds, egg shells, dog food cans, used paper towels and other wonderful smelling things lay strewn all the way into the dining area.

In my rush to get to Sunday school, I had walked by the trash bag without picking it up and setting it in the garage. I wanted to sit down and cry. How many messes had I already cleaned up that day and here was another one. Fighting back the tears, I got out the broom, dust pan, another trash bag, my own 409 and a roll of paper towels.

I knelt down on my knees and began to clean yet again. Little John kept his distance and watched me from the other side of the room. I couldn’t hold my anger and disappointment in any longer.

“God, how could you let this happen to me on Mother’s Day of all days?” I scooped trash into the new bag. “Especially after all I went through to have Sara.” Scooped more trash. “Twenty-one and a half hours of labor and then a C-section with complications, Lord.” Scooped again. “Four days in the hospital, Lord. I was so sick that I couldn’t eat.” Scooped more trash.

The Lord responded loud and clear.

He didn’t need me to tell Him what I went through when I had her. He already knew. Not only was He there with me the whole time, but He had gotten Sara and myself safely through everything. As for the messes I had to clean up that day, they were not His fault. They were mine because I had been in such a hurry.

Of course, He was right. He always is. I was in a hurry to leave and didn’t see the trash bag. I was in a hurry to get a drink and didn’t crack the bottle lid open first to let the gasses escape. I was in a hurry to get in to Mom’s and I opened my window too much instead of taking the time to crack each one.

Still on my knees, I bowed my head and prayed for forgiveness. One bad day doesn’t negate a life full of blessings. Then with each scoop, I thanked Him for all that He has done for me and what He continues to do.

Afterwards, the party dog and I chilled out on the recliner and watched TV.

When Tim got in from work later, I rehashed my ordeals to him. A part of me still wanted to hear, “You poor thing.” Instead I got, “Did you at least eat the chocolate I left after you got through cleaning?”

No, I hadn’t. Immediately I marched into the kitchen and picked up several pieces of chocolate therapy off the table. And I thanked the Lord for each and every piece.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)