This is worth your time to read:
"Not too long ago I had 'one of those days'. I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times.
I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner. Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans.
I grabbed a Tupperware from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned. My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated, now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened.
I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty. It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. 'I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!' My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help.
Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process! I stared. I fumed.
Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess I've made of things. What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all.
Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way He did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond. Do I trust Him? Even when He's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when He's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping? Can I embrace what He's offering?
Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancin' with my needs in mind? I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.
Come on, dance on your potato chips!!"
http://www.cairforyou.com/potato.htm
5 comments:
I am ROTF!!! This post was too funny. I can just see you and Mark doing the Funky Chicken in your kitchen. LOL Hey, are you guys gonna come to camp and hang out with us?
Great story. Kind of sounds like something I would do. :-)
Sis. Pryor, I came over to your blog from Sis. Allard's and have enjoyed many of your thoughts. I want to thank you for this one. I don't mean to laugh but I could actually see it all taking place and the thought of your husband dancing on those potato chips had me laughing and I needed a good laugh.
Yes,God has stomped on my chips many times as well. But just like in your writing, just about the time I thought I couldn't take anymore, somehow He sends in the calvary and rescued me from my dilemma. As for those situations that I thought were absolutely unbearable, well, He proved to me they weren't so bad after all. Like you said, it was all in the attitude. Have a great day!
That's a really funny story. I can just imagine what a mess it was. The more I think about it, the funnier it gets. And it ended so well, with laughter.
Right, often the answer that God gives is not what I thought it would be. But as you say, He knows what's best for me. Remember that old song? "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word..."
Love,
Sis Catherine
Thanks for all the comments.
Mark, it does sound like something you would do. :-)
Jana, Jolene and Catharine please note that this was a repost of a great article that I had read and wanted to share. I'm glad that all of you got a great laugh out of it.
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