How God reminded me about the importance of patience and politeness

So I stopped by the grocery store last night to pick up items for supper. It had been a good day. I’d been productive at work. Traffic on the way home had been light (I’d caught most of the green lights). Even my grocery store experience was pleasant. No one bumped me with a cart or pushed me out of the way to snatch the tomato I’d been eyeing.

My step was light. All was well.

And then I took my place in the checkout line.

Sure, accomplishing 11 things at once is impressive—but sometimes doing 1 thing is even better.

The realization hit me as I was sitting alongside the sleepy bank of Lake Ellyn, enjoying the Fourth of July fireworks earlier this month. I—and the crowd nestled around me—was marveling at the sparkly display in the dark, humid air above. The event was a delightful little slice of Americana.

Except for all the cell phones.

When I glanced around, I realized my two friends were fixed not on the sky, but on the tiny little screens in front of them. One friend was snapping pictures of the fireworks for her out-of-state kids to enjoy. The other friend was texting her boyfriend in hopes of catching up with him later that night. Several nearby teens were engaged in similar electronic activities.

The joy of anticipating small, simple pleasures

Tomorrow … next week … next month …

My friend’s anticipation was palpable as she sat down in my office and relayed her upcoming plans.

In the languor of a workday afternoon, dreaming of next week’s trip to the beach and this fall’s luxurious cruise seemed a welcome diversion. So I joined in, mentally cataloging my most anticipated future events: the concert by my favorite rocker next week; my East Coast trip next month; my birthday the following month; my boyfriend’s birthday several weeks later; finally, the holidays.

The silly reason I was ready to erupt

Today, I’m happy. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, everything is going my way. Oh, and my deck is sealed.

Just a few weeks ago, you’d have thought my world had turned upside down. Cracks appeared in my carefully composed facade; I became Krakatoa, ready to erupt. Woe to anyone in my vicinity!

Why this Hyde to my usual Jekyll? I hadn’t argued with my husband. I hadn’t suffered an unexpected betrayal or insensitive slight or serious setback. No, I’m embarrassed to admit, I’d simply become furious with the company contracted to power wash and seal our deck.