Dinner out with family celebrating from 3 states or an Asian wrap alone at the messy table where you finally were allowed to finish your holiday activities with some kids . . .

A rental car authorized by your insurance company while the truck gets repaired from the deer or a silver beast machine that at least doesn’t reek like a fleabag hotel . . .

An upset stomach that lingered for weeks or a working diagnosis of a peptic ulcer that reveals that the stress was more than just a little of late . . .

A cold sore that just happens from time to time or a flare of wretched shingles caught in the beginning stages, THANK GOD . . .

The stuff of life making a rough landing all at the same time or a financial train wreck in the making as Christmas gift-giving rapidly approaches . . .

Tears of frustration from “not good enough” criticism in a new editing role giving way to compliments from out of no where just 3 months later . . .

Doubts of your acceptance in community volunteer roles with new folks who don’t know your history to appreciation for being part of the team . . .

Missing my husband dearly as he is away travelling to the non-starter reunion when having to practice extreme mold avoidance still . . .

Tears of grief from so very much loss shaking my fragile frame to the bone to a slow recovery days later with a few convulsive spikes here and there . . .

Powerlessness to minister to my brother who suffers post-stroke much greater than I to finally figuring out something I can send him to really help . . .

I really could go on.  It’s just not the same thing when things really do go from bad to worse and you wish you had not feared for the worst because things can really go either way . . . and sometimes they actually go better than expected.  It’s all a matter of perspective in the end, right?  Ugh.  Clearly I am witnessing both phenomenon.  Really makes for uncertain living, I tell ya.

So what shall I do?  To stay in the moment as best I can is what I shall do.  Nap when I can’t concentrate anymore.  Pet the pup for more than a moment ’cause she likes it too.  Do something nice for my beloved Steve.  Move my Bible to that more secluded spot where I can spend time with the Lord without as many distractions.  Dwell and pray, pray and dwell in the presence of my Heavenly Father Who can lift my spirits above that which troubles me each day.  I have given myself over to worldly worries and it is not the same thing as giving it all over to Him.  I surrender.  I don’t know what got broken that I landed here but at least this one I do know how to fix.  Lord willing, things will get better!  JJ