The Groundhog Day do-over

I noticed they were playing the movie "Groundhog Day" on tv the other day. I started smiling. I can't help it. It's a funny movie. 


I particularly love the part when Bill Murray punches the insurance agent. (No offense to all you insurance agents out there.) And when he steps in the same icy puddle for the umpteenth time. 


While reflecting on how long it took him to avoid the aforementioned puddle, I began to wonder how long it would take me. 


How long would it be necessary for me to repeat the same day over and over before I was able to live it the right way? 


Just that morning:

•  I had screamed at my 20 month old for wiping her nose on my blouse. 
• I had been impatient with my 3 year old for not coming in IMMEDIATELY when I called so we could get lunch ready. (we're on such a tight schedule around here you know - wink wink)
• And I probably snapped at my husband for something he said that he didn't really mean. 

Now those are just a few of the things I did do that I shouldn't have done. Not to mention all of the things I hadn't done that I should have. 


Whew. No wonder Jesus told us that "each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:34


It would take years for me to get just one day right. 


However, I don't have years. None of us do - we only have today. This day. 


What if I had been grateful for a nearly 2 year old who has nothing more wrong with her than a snotty nose? And a washing machine that makes cleaning up easy. 


What if I had been grateful that I own a home with a yard for my boy to play in? And that we can afford a lunch to call him in for? 


What if I had focused on all the loving things my husband does and says for me instead of the one offhand comment that I took the wrong way? 


Do your best. Slow down. Be grateful.  


Give grace - especially to you. 

Pretty Park-y

Last Sunday, I arrived at church for second service before the first service people had begun leaving. The parking lot was crammed full of cars and I had two antsy little ones with me. My husband was working, so I did the best I could. I pulled in kind of sideways behind the middle row of parked cars. I didn't block anyone in, and I was reasonably close to the entrance. Problem Solved! 


Until we came out of second service. Suddenly, my brilliant solution looked like a crazy person, or someone at least under the influence, had parked my car. 


As I walked towards it, rather sheepishly, another congregant looked at it, looked back at me, and kind of laughed under his breath. 


"The parking lot was packed when I pulled in!" I tried to explain. "It  made sense at the time!"


"Oh yeah," he continued to half laugh back at me. "I was just wondering why everyone else wasn't doing it."


Okay. I had to laugh too. It was funny. And it looked ridiculous. 


But then I thought about all of the people I know who seem like their, ummm, "cars" have been "parked cockeyed" for one reason or another. I'm sure it made sense to them at the time. 


So, before you rant or rave and get disgusted by someone - or even laugh to poke fun at them - consider what the parking lot looked like when they left their car. 


Give grace.