Have You Ever Had One of Those Days?

Have you ever had one of those days?

The kind that make you wish you could go back to bed and have a ‘do-over’?

I had one of those days earlier this summer – a notably rotten day.

The day started off so well. I woke up with that well rested feeling – the kind where you lay there for an extra ten minutes to soak up that rare thing – the tingly, ache-free sensations of a good night’s sleep. 

What happened? I got up – maybe that was my first mistake.

I had plans. Big plans. My favorite kind of plans – celebration plans along with ‘get-things-done’ plans.

My day already had a special tag on it. My eldest daughter was graduating from college today. A day I wasn’t sure would happen – so the reality is downright special. We planned a dinner party with some family and friends at a sweet restaurant near the graduation event center.

And, my hubby, Tom, had taken the day off for said ‘event’ and for some much needed rest – which my mind had spelled: W.O.R.K.!

Sadly, my hubby and I spell special differently.

So, the day began with hubby and me at the kitchen table, two cups of strong, dark brew coffee in front of us. Life doesn’t get much better.

Then, the get down to business, get-things-done planning began.

My ‘get-things-done‘ plans were lost amidst hubby’s ‘must-do’s‘, which involved an arranged meeting with our youngest daughter to give her the brand-old ’99 Toyota Corolla we had purchased for her this week, to replace her ’94 car that had broken down.

I must admit, I was looking forward to the ‘reveal’ – seeing her face as she received her grand-old replacement car; which compared to her last vehicle looked like a Lexus.

So, amidst the arrangements, my long list of to-do’s got lost somewhere.

Well, at least I would get to see ‘the reveal’ – the look on my daughter’s face at her grand-old car.

Not. To. Be.

At prearranged meeting time, I found myself sitting in my old car, whose gas gauge registered empty. The fuel light on the dashboard was lit up – truly, empty.

I made a quick trip for much needed fuel. And, missed my daughter getting her grand-old car.

It didn’t make me very happy. I left a not too happy voice mail on hubby’s cell.

Then, the day got worse.

I missed the ferry boat – meaning, try again later. I did make the next boat and met hubby up at a Starbucks for a continuation of planning and sorting for tonight’s dinner and event. We looked at maps to figure out the best parking garages to use, as the said event was located in the center of Downtown Seattle.

Best to be prepared.

What we didn’t prepare for was a semi-final soccer match which was occurring at the other end of downtown.

I headed downtown in plenty of time, following Google maps wise recommendations to avoid traffic.

Solid recommendations, except that 20,000 other soccer fans had apparently read the same recommendations.

I’ve lived in Seattle for over 50 years and driven in the area over 35 years, and this is one of the worst traffic jams I have ever experienced. Anywhere!

My best description would be ‘Stop-and-Go’ traffic – minus the ‘Go’!

I took a little known exit off a major highway, approximately 2 miles from the dinner destination.

I sat there. For several hours. Gridlocked.

Tiny five foot increments of movement would occur every 5 to 10 minutes.

Well, at least I would see my daughter walk down the aisle in her black cap and gown.

Not. To. Be.

Two hours into the gridlock road conditions, I was perhaps half way to downtown. The dinner celebration was already underway, though everyone was over 30 minutes late and by my calculations, if I made it there I would miss the dinner entirely.

I decided to skip the dinner and go directly to the graduation commencement location.

Unbelievably, the traffic slowed.

I had a good half a mile to go when I felt it. Sick. Sick to stomach, achy feeling. Not going to make it to or through graduation feeling.

I did the unthinkable. I turned around.

I headed my car away from the city, away from the commencement ceremony, away from the traffic.

I headed home.

Don’t be fooled. There was still super slow traffic. But, slightly more normal slow downs.

A mere two and a half hours later I was parked at the ferry, awaiting my ride to my traffic free island.

Soon, I arrived, sat down on the couch in my living room. Head aching, body reeling, but happy to be home. Happy to be out of the car.

 

It was a day. Not the day I imagined. Not the day I had hoped for.

But, despite the slow downs – despite the traffic – despite my missing said event – my daughter did graduate. There was a celebration. Life moved forward.

Sometimes our expectations aren’t met.

Sometimes we miss pieces of life we don’t want to miss. Sometimes we have ‘a day’, or a week, or a year of slow downs – or losses – or difficulties.

[tweetthis display_mode=”box”]Life happens. Not always as we plan for. Or hope for. Or expect.[/tweetthis]

“The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong,

nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned;

But time and chance happen to them all.”

Ecclesiastes 9:11

The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, penned those words, under God’s direction.

Time and chance happen to us all. But, God is still sovereign. God still sits on the throne of heaven – over earth – over all that happens.

• I don’t have to have all my plans work out – because I know all God’s plans will work out.
• I don’t need to have a perfect life – because I know God’s ultimate end for my story will be perfect.
• I can trust the author and perfecter of my faith to be working in and through all things for His mighty purposes and my ultimate good.

For any of you who are having ‘a day’, or what feels like way too many ‘days’ – hold fast – stand your ground – and ‘when you have done all, just stand’ (Eph 6:13).

 “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” Ps 62:5 (KJV)

Linking up with: Holley’s CoffeeformyHeart, Jennifer Dukes LeeTellHisStory, Lyli’s ThoughtProvokingThursdays, Deb’s Faith’nFriends

Photo Credit (traffic shots): Pete Biggs for Earthisland.org, and Seattle Times Mike Siegel  #thisdaygodsway.org