Today was a fiasco of moments. Opened the front door this morning to walk Penelope and a piece of the screen door, a decorate square of wood that edges the screen, fell off and hit me on the shoulder. And yes, it did hurt! I get my electric screwdriver to screw the door piece back on but I have the door piece upside down so before I can get it to fit it falls off again. My youngest son hears me hammering a nail in each corner and asks why don’t I just buy a new door. And I reply, “Can’t buy them like this any more.” This is the screen door of my childhood.

I go to put my tools back and knock the package of nails off the toolbox lid and yes, they all spilled out with their screw and thumbtack friends. Didn’t immediately pick them up ‘cause they fell under the dresser and me on the floor requires a dozen Advil beforehand. Chalked it up for a chore after I walked Penelope who had been patiently waiting.

Now hours later I step on a thumbtack barefooted after I stepped on a saw briar in the bathroom, same foot, too. That briar felt like a chunk of glass! Guess I brought the briar in the house on my shoes. If you’ve never encountered saw briars count your blessings. They are nature’s sharpened saw blades with rabies. Actually forgot I hadn’t gotten on the floor to pick up the nails and their friends. Maybe I should just sweep them further under the dresser… just kidding. Penelope will dance on my back while I pick them up. I better be sure she’s snoring before I get on the floor. I promise to gather them up after I finish my writing. I did put my shoes back on, though.

Forgot, in the middle of this debacle, I had to pick up a Wally World grocery order and when I cranked my car a dashboard message said I had low tire pressure in one of my back tires. What now…made it home, then to the tire store for air. Told me to bring it back if the pressure dropped again and they’d check the tire. Something else to worry about. I just had to break out the Hershey kisses I bought myself for Easter. While I was eating a handful of candy I could hear Chief saying in his southern drawl, “Mama, just be glad you know how to use a hammer and screwdriver. Be glad you have a box of nails. Be glad your car keeps you safe. Be glad you have money for groceries.” He could always find a positive moment in every situation. I love him dearly and miss him more each day. And I am thankful for these blessings.

Ate an early supper sitting on the porch watching the cardinals, purples finches, and the handsome goldfinches flitting around the feeders, singing happily in the warmth of the late afternoon sun. The wind is blustery, banging out loud symphonies on the wind chimes. Mother Nature needs to be careful with the watercolor wildfire she’s blazing across the horizon. Seeing my little slice of heaven dressed in her spring finery made my angst just melt away. I enjoyed the glorious afternoon the Lord had made. I shouldn’t complain about everyday fretful moments that “throw a monkey wrench” in my day. I have too much to be thankful for and so, so many blessings. Today was just full of inconvenience but the day wasn’t a trial or a tribulation.

Scripture says we will all face trials and tribulations. Psalm 145:9 states, “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” The thunderous storms of life offer opportunities to strengthen our faith, to grow spiritually, and to learn to depend on God’s grace. Trials show us our weaknesses and allow us to develop compassion and humility. Facing life’s challenges teach us to persevere. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance,” James 1:2-3.

We sometimes blame God when the storm clouds gather in our life. God doesn’t send these storms but he will use these stressful times to help us grow stronger. Roman’s 8:28 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The hard life moments that we experience help us relate to the struggles of others, helping us offer them compassion and support.

Nothing can separate us from God. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:38-39. God will never leave us. He’s steadfast and loyal. His hands are always outstretched to hold us safe. He holds the whole world in his hands.

“Use fear to become braver, pain to become stronger, trials to become wiser, and misfortune to become better.” — Matshona Dhliwayo