Life happens.

I get it. I just don’t like it.

Weathering the Storm: A major rain storm caused a branch to break from one of the trees in my backyard. In falling, it broke several panels of my fence and landed predominantly in my neighbor’s backyard. I remember hearing a large noise the night before but couldn’t pinpoint where it came from. As I let my dog out the following morning, I saw a blur of a mess on the right hand side of my yard. I didn’t have my contacts in or my glasses on so I had no clue as to what really happened. I initially dismissed it as an issue that my neighbor would have to deal with and went back to bed. After further inspection (and coffee), I realized that it was my fault and I would be the one addressing the damage and under a deadline to get it completed since we both have dogs that roam our backyards. I didn’t know if home insurance was the route to take or how much it would cost to get this repaired.

In Need of a Charge: I had plans for a shopping/dinner excursion with a girlfriend who was in town just for the weekend. As I sat in my car, threw my cute shoes in the passenger seat (because I prefer to drive my stick shift in my flip flops) and inserted the key into my car, nothing happened. Ever since I could comfortably afford paying a car note, I have kept a newish car. So therefore, I have never gotten into a car in my adult years and had nothing happen when I turned it on. I tried multiple times as if one more attempt was going to change the outcome. My windows randomly went up and down without my prompting and my radio came on during the third or fourth attempt. My internal temperature jumped up which made the inside of my already warm car feel like an inferno. I opened the car door and muttered, “Lord, help me.” I sat there trying to think of what could be wrong but quickly called my Daddy since he does well with cars. He advised that it was probably the battery. After having the car for 4 years and it actually being seven years old, the battery is probably dead. He then instructed that I should call the dealership and have them come tow it. I called my dealership and the young lady who answered promptly told me that they were closing in fifteen minutes and instructed me to call roadside assistance for the tow.

As I was running late to go to church the next day, the same scenario ensued. I threw my cute shoes in my passenger seat, stuck my key in the ignition and nothing happened. My shoulders slumped and my underarms started to tingle. My plans for the day were interrupted . . . again. I received a jump from roadside assistance the night before and thought that would hold me over until Monday when the service department was open. I was invited to attend a party after church and was looking forward to yummy food and awesome company. Now, I wouldn’t be able to attend because the party was about an hour away and I had no other means of transportation.

Each time life happened, I found myself in a position of vulnerability because I didn’t know what to do. These situations were unfamiliar territory. As a newer homeowner, I didn’t know how to navigate the waters of repairing a fence shared by you and your neighbors.  I am far from a mechanic and therefore didn’t know that my car battery would go dead soon. I also only own one car and the friend that lives closest to me was out of town. I don’t know anyone that owns jumper cables and the only people I could have called were already at church (they’re normally on time and I am not). I was stranded and didn’t have a quick solve.

I told God, “this is why I need a husband!” Having someone here could have helped me figure out what to do about the fence or he would have another car that I could have used when the battery in mine died. I just needed help and didn’t want the pressure of doing it all on my own. I also wanted someone to understand my issue and offer a word of sympathy or quite frankly, just fix it without me having to do anything. I have gotten so use to sailing through life that I had the nerve to get an attitude when something didn’t go my way.

That’s when God shifted my perspective and reminded me that He was with me in every circumstance and provided all I need. He allowed me to see the positive in each situation:

• The tree branch that fell, didn’t hurt anyone and didn’t damage anything in my neighbor’s backyard. It fell directly in front of their shed. I was able to call my father who offered reasonable suggestions. One of which was an actual solution.
• Instead of going through some long, drawn-out claim submission with my home insurance agent, my gardener cut up the branch, repaired the fence and cleaned up the debris from the storm for less than $100.
• My car went dead in my own driveway. I was not stranded in a public place or the freeway. I was at home and able to make the necessary calls to have someone out to address the issues in a short amount of time.
• The car issues are covered under my extended warranty and staying home allowed me to get some work done around the house and be prepared for the upcoming week’s work.
• If either one of these issues or something similar ever happened again, I know what to do or who to call.

God was with me in each scenario and allowed me to have everything rectified in a matter of hours. He continues to show that He is my source and I must rely on Him for everything, no matter who is in my life.

As long as I keep that perspective, life can happen all it wants.