Driving to the other side of the city for a temporary job these past two days has been refreshingly eye opening. I’ve been chiding myself for so long that I’ll never be able to get back in the routine of working again. The impending reality of joining the workforce once again has loomed ominous. But my drive these past two days, in the welcome sunshine, has yielded glorious views of the Rocky mountains covered in snow. Sharp, etched and looking close enough to touch. Against the blue, blue sky, it took my breath away and caused me to send heavenward, praise to the creator. I thoroughly enjoyed the drive. Good thing because it took almost an hour. And to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed being in a office environment once again. Being useful and having a purpose and somewhere to go. Being with people. A reminder that the world is bigger than me. Its so easy to have your world close in on you, when you spend so much time alone and are concerned about the future of ….well…everything. Your world and mindset get very small. Its almost suffocating. I felt like I’d just breathed the largest, freshest breath of air I have in a very long time.
This morning I was a little flummoxed when I descended to the kitchen to find it cluttered with dirty dishes, far too many appliances on the counter and several half drank Starbucks cups (guilty of at least one). My washing system was upset in the laundry room as my things were tossed…wherever, so someone could make room for theirs. There was recycling lined up on the inside counter. So I tossed the recycling over the edge of the banister into the recycle bin and heard it crash on the garage floor. My husband had already moved the bin outside. I couldn’t find the banking information required to get me set up with my new temp position. I folded the laundry and cleared the cupboard (organizing the dirty dishes in the sink so they wouldn’t look so frightening when I returned home), because I had time for that, and I drove off, later than planned. I decided I wanted…no, needed, my favorite drink from Starbucks. I was nearly inside the coffee shop when I realized I had forgotten my phone at home. (I pay for Starbucks with my iPhone app). So back we go, I parked on the driveway and ran into the house to fetch my phone and when I came out the garbage truck was blocking my driveway and I couldn’t leave. I felt frustration and anger starting to simmer and started muttering to myself. A lot of good that will do. Finally, I drove back to our local Starbucks and went in to get my drink. The young female barista looked at me and said “you’re killin it this morning! Love your whole outfit. You look great!” I hate to say I live for the praise of others and I truly endeavor not to, but I’m not going to lie, that comment really helped my mood. I drove off with my soy (yes I still drink soy in my chai), extra hot, 3 pump chai latte and all of a sudden all was right with the world. Shallow, yes. Fickle, maybe. And then I got to thinking about something we talked about in our home group last night. About how the Lord protects us. Sometimes He just makes sure we are not in the wrong place at the wrong time. Going back to get my phone may have prevented some disaster for me. I’ll never know. But that was good enough for me. I felt blessed all of a sudden.
The drive to Royal Oak from Bridlewood seemed much more pleasant this morning. Maybe because I knew where I was going and I had left earlier missing all the school traffic and all the little crosswalk pedestrians. I walked into the office already feeling like it was home…even though I only had another half day of work to do. But yes, I was into this. I could do this. I enjoyed the routine. The sun was shining as I folded my last project drawing and I left the engineering company at 1:00. Such a lovely day as I drove home down the freeway. I decided to drop in on a friend at work since I was free as a lark for the rest of the afternoon and the shop she worked at was just there. It was so decadent to wander through the gorgeous garment shop touching things, looking at things, visiting with my friend. And once again, gleaning a round of compliments on my funky glasses. Just confirming I was not the washed up, stodgy, old, useless bag that I had been categorizing myself as lately. They said my glasses were the choice of someone creative. They could tell I was creative. Who knew?
As I left the shop, my friend suggested I stop at a quaint, bedding store down the street, ensuring me I would love it. Love it I did. My first whiff of the scent in the air was transcendent and the novelties in the shop were heavenly. Unlike myself, I entered into a lengthy and revealing chat with the shop keeper. She actually knew of me and my daughter (from my friend down the street) and that got things rolling. After a wonderful repartee with her – she was charming – I skipped back to my car like a school girl. As I settled into the drivers seat I noticed a phone message on my cell phone and thought I would listen to it before driving away. It was the gal from the placement agency I called on Monday (and two weeks ago). I was pretty sure they were not planning on calling me back and I told everyone who cared (and maybe a few who didn’t) that if I didn’t hear from that agency by end of day today I would move on to a different agency. Her voice was cheerful and pleasant as she suggested I call her back tomorrow morning.
I loved the area of town I was in so I drove around some of the streets taking in the beautiful homes, beautiful victorians and brownstones. My kids used to attend school in this neighborhood but my youngest graduated ten years ago and the area has developed so much since then. Towering trees and no more construction detours. The homes looking well loved and worn in. This also added to my frivolous mood.
I arrived home, just feeling blessed to be alive. As I changed into my painting smock to begin my next work of art….it dawned on me that this was, indeed, a beautiful life. Yes, there are many ugly and repugnant things transpiring across the globe but for right now, right here, for this moment in time, I saw the beauty and took it in. Compared to the winter my soul has been journeying through lately, I was reminded, that when God shines his glorious light on anything, the world is a different place.
The Red Plaid Apron 