Hindsight is 20:20

Do you ever remember something happening to you that at the time you felt was completely negative? I mean seriously, sometimes unexpected things happen right? Perhaps you were sitting in the house doing dishes, when you hear the basement flooding with water (this happens to me way too often).

Or, how about the times when you were driving down the highway, when out of nowhere you got a blowout. You were so upset because you were running late for work, but it didn't even matter because then there would be no way you would make it on time. So you had to call your boss to tell him that you would be late. While you are stuck, trying to force the lug nuts off the tire. You have no luck because these days most shops use a machine that forces them on, so you and your tire iron are not physically strong enough to get them off. So you were stuck sitting there with one lug nut off, but the rest just wouldn't budge.

So, you had to call a tow truck and a ride to come rescue you. However, instead of being grateful for options, you were pacing back and forth, cursing, waiting for a whole 45 minutes for some help. Then it occured to you, when the tow was pulling up, that you had no idea how you were going to pay for the tow. Three months ago, you cancelled towing from your insurance, to help save you a few bucks, and quite frankly you take such good care of the car that you didn't really need towing (this has happened to me).

Finally, after what seems like hours, you are actually on your way to work, when you notice a traffic jam that just started to let up, from what appears to be a fatal accident that seemed to occur about an hour ago...When suddenly, the goosebumps prick your neck. You come to the realization that if your tire didn't blow, that it could have very likely been you in the accident. Suddenly the cursing that you threw around earlier turned into blessings to a God, that you are unsure exists or not, but somehow irony made it so you didn't have a huge accident. So, truth-be-told, it doesn't really matter at that point if God does exist, because you are somehow invincible. Right.

For me it seems that every time Brandon and I get into an argument, our entire basement floods. We will then have to forget our differences and work together ankle deep in water, that only God knows its contents, vaccuming and fixing pipes. UGH! And you have the audacity to question God's existence? Are you kidding me? I KNOW God exists! Most of the time I think I am one of his only sources of amusement. I think he sits there laughing at us every time he gets bored.

So it's like this, the next time your tire blows, you get into a fender bender, or you are out for a week suffering from Swine Flu, instead of starting out with the curses, which is what seems to be the norm, think about how good you have it. Remind yourself that there is far worse out there. Therefore, you can just begin with the blessings and praises. It will make you happy and everyone around you happy too. Also, keep in mind the next time something crazy like that happens to you, think of Job 37:13. "He causes things to happen on earth, either as a punishment or as a sign of his unfailing love" (NLT version).

Please keep in mind that hindsight is always 20:20!

My Husband and a Jock Strap

Hmmm. I like the title of this one... I was in bed thinking hard about things the other night.. I couldn't sleep. Thoughts were overwhelming my mind. Every time I go into a shut-down mode, this happens. I have so many thoughts and reflections on life and things. I can't say that I mind. It gives me so many things to write about. Since that is a passion, I am truly blessed to be bombarded with these thoughts.

I was laying there thinking about what I would do if I didn't have the support of my husband. I mean seriously, Brandon never stops me from living my dreams. Think about it, a few weeks perhaps months, back, I was stressed out about the pressure of what I am supposed to do with my life. I was confused, and felt to some degree, hopeless. I always use the term "jack of all trades, master of none." Anyway, who did I go talk to about it? Brandon of course. He listens to me no matter how silly it seems. He supports me in everything that I do. He protects me from the harshness of everyone elses opinions. He is there for me when I need him most, and he is around when I feel like I don't need him at all. Brandon supports me, even when I want to achieve the impossnnible. I am getting ahead of myself, let me start from the beginning...

So, after a few weeks/months of wallowing in self pity, thinking about how my dreams are so unaccomplishable, thinking that I am wasting my own time and his, and praying relentlessly for answers, it occured to me. I think that it was my dad who made it clear to be honest. I feel often that I have no calling in life. For a religious person, that is a hard feeling. However, my dad pointed out to me the other day, when talking about this exact subject. He told me, "You know how to tell if something is a calliing or not?"

I said, "No how?"

Dad told me, "You know it is a calling, if it is a passion that no matter what you can't shake it off, but something that you will be willing to do without getting paid for it." That statement put a lump in my throat so big, that a frog would have shuddered with fear. I knew right then that he was right. I knew right then that I was not mistaken with my calling. I knew that my dad answered all of my doubts, questions, and problems. My mom agreed. It was like in unison. I knew exactly what I had to do.

I went home that night and read the Bible. Ironically, when I have no idea what I am wanting to look for to read, I typically begin in Matthew. I do this because there is a lot of dialogue from Christ himself in Matthew. So, the verse that I was hit with was, Matthew 7:7-8 It simply says this... "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks recieves, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (NKJV version). This confirmed my doubts. The knowledge that I had all along, was out on the table. I already had the answer, I was doubting my own faith.

I decided to sit down and talk to Brandon. I needed him to know, what I was working on. I needed to let him know that I was going to work on the impossible. I told him, and he looked at me completely confused. He said to me, "Nina, I thought that was the plan the entire time." I informed him of the doubts that I had. He made it known to me that I always have doubts, that doesn't mean that I was going to quit trying.

I went to bed that night, with a spinning head. I was thinking about Brandon. I was reflecting on how lucky I am.. I was trying to think of an effective metaphor to explain this, then it hit me... jock strap. Hmm. Interesting. Well, I think of it like this. He protects me from people, he shields me from harm, he holds me tight when I am afraid, but most importantly, he supports me in everything that I do. He supports me when I want to achieve the impossible. He never turns his back on me. He is always there. The best thing I could think of was that, jock strap. I think that is what all men and women alike need to aim to be. There you have it, my thoughts for today.