I Stubbed My Toe

Do you ever have one of those days when everything seems to be going wrong? … And you’ve only been awake for three minutes?

This morning I got out of bed, turned and hit my pinky finger on the sharp corner of my nightstand, causing a big blood blister. Then I walked 12 inches and stubbed my toe on the leg of a chair. Next I uncapped my deodorant and it jumped from my hands so that it could crumble all over the floor.

And where on earth are my shorts? I’m positive they grew feet and walked away from where I put them.

At this point I have a choice – get frustrated or keep my peace? A couple months ago I decided that I wanted desperately to be a more peaceful person. I don’t want to get upset over little things. Have you ever heard this quote from St. Teresa of Avila?

“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”

I love these words from St. Teresa because they’re a great reminder of what really matters in life. All these things that happened this morning could make me loose it and be grumpy for at least a couple hours. I mean, come on, all I did was get out of bed? Who’s out to get me?

Or, I could laugh it off. I could say thanks to God for giving me another opportunity to choose to keep my peace. I could walk away angry. Or I could realize that in everything God wants to bring me closer to him.

It’s the spiritual battle we face a thousand times a day.

What are you going to do?