Pet Peeves

First of all... SOUL PATROL, baby! :)

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We all have them...those things that drives us bonkers or make us want to climb under the covers and hide. Whistling inside a car or saying "anyways" are a few of mine. Perhaps these bother you as well, or maybe not. After all, they are my pet peeves. But I'm sure you have a few of your own.

A bit of history on the phrase: "Peeve" comes from the 14th-century word pevish, meaning ornery or ill-tempered. The first time "pet peeve" was used in print was 1911, meaning a minor annoyance that can instill extreme frustration in a person. You're telling me! :)

After grocery shopping this morning at the local Wal-Mart, I returned to my vehicle to unload my basket full of various produce and goods. In the empty car stall next to mine, a lone cart sat, just waiting for a gusty Kansas wind to flail it into the black Ford Explorer downwind. Being a good citizen, I returned it to the appropriate stall along with mine.

As I exited the parking lot, ready to turn down a steep hill, I idled behind a beige indiscriminate SUV, when out of nowhere a flying, blue, plastic basket barrelled its way down the busy intersection. Vehicles dogded left and right, running and gunning to narrowly avoid the path of destruction coursed by the runaway Wal-Mart cart. After several tense seconds of praying the cart wouldn't stray toward me...it finally came to rest against a curb.

If I hadn't spent those precious seconds putting away the first cart, I would have been in the direct line of fire of that torpedo.

I have a new pet peeve. What are yours?

Flat Tire

Nothing like a flat tire on the way to visit extended family to complete the weekend, huh? As my family was traveling to my twin cousins' high school graduation on Saturday, one of the tires on my parent's SUV decided it was too tired to continue the journey, and solidified its case by quickly relinquishing its air.

Things to be thankful for in the middle of a stressful situation:

• Daylight
• Safe place to pull over
• 3 men
• Full-sized spare
• Towels to keep slacks clean
• Wet wipes to wash hands
• Time

I love experiencing God's faithfulness.

A Trail of Kindness

Is anybody happier
Because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember
That you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over,
And its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now
A friendly word for you?
Can you say tonight in passing
With the days that slipped so fast,
That you helped a single person,
Of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing
Over what you did or said?
Does one whose hopes were fading
Now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it?
Was it well or poorly spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness
Or a scar of discontent?
~Anonymous~

Pouring Rain and Mercy

As the old saying goes, "when it rains, it pours." I want to deny this tendency, but as it epitomizes my life of late, the cliché once again proves itself real. My natural tendencies asked me to list each of my problems and for you to listen attentively, as my therapist, mentor, and/or friend. (Thank you in advance for saving me thousands of dollars and countless lunch hours on a couch.)

But alas, after the many ups and downs over the past few days, I finally uncovered the thread of grace stabilizing each of my issues. Selfishly, I could wonder why I had to go through this or that, but instead I will choose to see God's deliverance. Whether it was filling me with peace about the future of a sick loved one or miraculously fixing my dead-in-the-water laptop, He never abandoned me, but continuously poured his grace upon me.

Can I say that I gave Him all the faith He deserved? Can I say I warranted His help? Can I say I never got upset or worried? I wish. But praise God for His patience, love, grace, and mercy, in the middle of any storm. All the attributes I need. Hmm…a correlation perhaps?