Senior year of high school I attended a graduation party where they had an artist drawing caricatures - a picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect. I still have mine - somewhere. It is a picture of me, running late for church.
It’s a common known fact that punctuality is not my forte. This is especially true when it comes to Sunday mornings. I have every intention of getting up early and having a morning like this: I listen to worship music while I sip on my coffee (er, I mean, detox tea). Then, I angelically sing to my children that it is time to rise and prepare to worship the Lord. The children will jump to their feet and off they will go to shower, dress, brush their hair and teeth, and put on their deodorant. I will ensure my makeup looks just right and my hair is flat ironed perfectly. We (husband included) magically appear at the front door at the same time, saunter down the front steps and into the car. We will get to the church in time to have a few conversations and find our seats before the countdown clock for the service begins.
But folks, the ugly truth spoken through that caricature has only been compounded by marriage and children. I am thankful we have a “come as you are” church because it is surprising we don’t roll up in our pj pants. Make up? Please. My hair is usually not even dry. The kids are whining and complaining. “Why do I have to brush my teeth? I did that four days ago.” “Why do I have to put deodorant on?” “My hair is fine. I don’t care if it is sticking up like a rooster’s comb.” By the time we make it to the car the kids are fighting, the service starts in ten minutes (we live 20 minutes away), and I am yelling “We are going to church and you are going to like it and you are going to be nice to each other and we are going to pretend like we are a nice normal family!!!!”
This past Sunday was different.
It was raining Saturday night when we went to bed. I told Richard I wanted to sleep with the window open so I could hear the rain. I had this urge to lean into this simple pleasure that I had been too distracted or stressed out to enjoy for quite some time now. There is something so satisfying about giving yourself permission to slow down and seek joy. Listening to a rainstorm/thunderstorm (without the threat of tornado or hurricane) is one of my favorite things to do. It reminds me of healing, cleansing, and renewal, but it can also be a reminder of God’s power. I slept really well Saturday night as the rain fell.
Sunday morning began more like my fantasy. I was up early. The kids got up without complaint. I was feeling really optimistic. We may actually make it in time to hear all of the worship music!
Noah came upstairs from his room and looked at me with a frown.
“What’s wrong, my sweet boy?”
“My room is wet.”
“Wet?”
“Yeah, wet. Like as in there is water on the floor.”
Richard and I went down to inspect. Sure enough, part of the garage and Noah's room were flooded!
I went upstairs and texted our Children’s ministry coordinator that we would not be there to serve in the nursery at noon. I changed my clothes, went back downstairs, plugged in the wet vac and got to the task at hand. A while later, Richard came down to take over. I looked at him and laughed. “At least it’s not sewage!” (note to self: make appointment with the septic company)
By God’s grace and the positive effects of this 30 day detox, we sucked up water for two days and I had zero emotional meltdowns, anxiety attacks, or migraines! Typically, this kind of thing would have sent me into “the sky is falling” mode. I wouldn’t want to react that way, but my anxiety would take over and you might as well rename me “Debbie Downer”.
Instead, I was able to laugh about it. I used the time to think and pray and gently remind myself that if I had called to have the gutters cleaned out a few months ago, like Richard asked, we would have been on time for church, probably singing Oceans. (note to self: make appointment with the gutter company)
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where my feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans (or rainwaters) rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
--Hillsong United
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