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!