You may or may not believe this story happened to me, but it did, and I have a witness lol It happened!

I often do things that seem right at the time, and then afterward, I realize that I should have thought things through a little better!

I am usually a person that tries to think ahead of scenarios and prepare for them. But, there are some things that none of us can prepare for because you would never think about it happening — to me or anyone else!

FUN FACT: Those that know me, you know that way before Covid —I was a germaphobe.  

• I carried sanitizing wipes
• Spray Lysol
• Hand sanitizers in every flavor Bath and Body Works had
• I also had a pump bottle with GermX
• I would carry the protectors to go over the toilet seat in my purse
• I would have toilet paper in my glovebox

So keep that in mind as I begin my story!

SO MY CHURCH (BRAT) STORY begins:

A few years back, I had a doctor’s appointment in Charleston. I HATE to drive in Charleston or to Charleston, for that matter. It was an early appointment, so I grabbed my mom and took off early to have plenty of time to get lost, find myself, and still make it to the appointment on time.

So, as much as I dreaded it, we started on our adventure to the doctor’s office! It was a sweltering day already, and I chugged a tremendous amount of water. I wasn’t thinking about the 2-hour trip I had ahead of me. I just knew I needed to be hydrated because the heat index would be crazy!

Off we go making good time to get to my appointment. We almost got to the toll booth, and the traffic was stopped.

Ok, that is fine; I had plenty of time to get there. I wasn’t counting on the amount of time we would be stuck on the four-lane.

An hour passed…Ok, I am fine…then another 15 minutes passed, and the water I had drunk was trying to find a way out! In a panic, I looked around, and there was not a building that I could run into to use the restroom.

Ok, ok, I am fine! Then another 15 minutes passed. I was almost not fine. Another 15 minutes and, I was dying, and I had to find a restroom. There wasn’t any around — nothing!

My mom jokingly said, “There is always that wooded area over there,” and she pointed to the far side of the road. Not hesitating, I grabbed toilet paper out of my glove box. I ran across four lanes and went up the small hill into the wooded area out of sight! I could not believe what I was about to do, but it was beyond anything I could avoid; there was no more “holding it!”

After I got up the hill and made sure I was alone, I realized that I had on a cute little one-piece jumper. Now, I not only had to find a “good place,” I had to take my jumper off. If only I were not so desperate — but I was! A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, I got back in the car feeling better, but not real good about myself! My mom was in complete shock, and to be honest, I think I was in shock, too!

You know that this is WAY OUT of my character if you know me! My mom and I never said a word about what had just happened as we started to my appointment.

Finally, we were on our way after a couple of hours. I still had time to make the appointment! (Yeah, I left that early).

FAST FORWARD TO THE DR.’ OFFICE.

I go in the office and check myself in. The receptionist asked if I was “OK?” Puzzled at her question, I replied with, “I am great, why do you ask?” She just shrugged and as she turned around I saw her smiling…hmmmmm.

I sat down, and as I was telling my mom about the strange conversation I had just had with the receptionist, also named Wendy. I got called to the exam room. The nice nurse handed me the hospital gown, gave me instructions, and smiled as she left. Again, why is everyone acting so strange?

I got in my gown, and I heard, “crunch!” I walked a little more, again, I heard, “crunch, crunch!” I was afraid to look down.
When I finally got the courage to look at what I was stepping on, I saw small twigs, leaves, a tiny pinecone (I think it was), and I was horrified! I looked behind me at the trail of debris that was following me.

I busted out hysterically laughing! I mean hysterically laughing! I couldn’t catch my breath!

When I had put my jumpsuit back on, I had picked up all kinds of “wood debris.” There was a small twig in my hair! Now I knew what the puzzling question from Wendy, the receptionist, was about. She was too kind to say anything to me.

When the doctor came in, she was amused at the mess on the floor. She removed a twig from the back of my hair (don’t ask, because I do not know!). She looked at me and laughed, “I am not even going to ask, but knowing you, this is a doozy of a story!”

I looked up and saw other staff members in the doorway laughing; I think they were waiting on a story from me. I just shook my head and said, “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you!”

Fun tidbit to end the story: There were about 5-6 people there waiting when I came out. They all stared at me, trying not to laugh. My mom was cracking up. Since it was a small office, they had heard the whole thing! As I started out the door, I turned back and said, “Good luck in there, ya’ll!”

WHAT’S ON MY MIND?  GLAD YOU ASKED

Oh my, where to start with this story! I am horrified and think it was the funniest thing at the same time! I questioned my sanity when I decided to share this with you all! But, there is so much to learn from this fiasco!

• The first thing that I realized was that no matter how much you prepare, you are never prepared enough! You can run through every scenario and still not anticipate what could happen. But we have to do what we can and not expect God to do everything for us. Prepare! As Pastor Jay often says, “Shoot in both directions!” Do what you can, and then God will do His part.” Thankfully I had toilet paper in my glovebox! I was prepared! Look at David being prepared for Goliath. David was on the backside of the hill killing lions and bears with his own hands! And what else was he dealing with. So he learned to hit the problem head on (get it – he hit Goliath in the head…lol…come on that was funny!) so this giant was no problem for him, he just saw solutions!

I Samuel 17 – David and Goliath Read about David and Goliath here

• The second thing is there are things beyond our control. Most things are if we think about it. I could not have possibly controlled the accident that happened that day. I could not control the amount of time I was in traffic. I could not control that no restrooms were available. I could not control my bladder speaking very vocally to me in the car!

Proverbs 19:21 ESV Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 16:9 ESV The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

The only thing we can control is our actions and reactions. You cannot use the excuse, “I did that or said that because “they” made me mad.” or “If they wouldn’t have done this, then I wouldn’t have reacted like this.” or “I have my mom’s temper, so I flew off the handle.” (PS – you have your own temper, your mom still has hers. You choose to act in a certain way, take responsibility for it.)

1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

• The third thing is how we handle things that we face. Do we handle them with grace, honor, and honesty? Do we laugh at ourselves, or do we get angry and act (as my grandmother used to say) “a fool?” I could have been embarrassed and ashamed of what I “had to do,” but instead, I decided it was not going to ruin my day — so I laughed, the doctor laughed, the staff laughed, and the other patients laughed. 

Job 8:21 ESV He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Proverbs 15:13 ESV A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but

REMEMBER:  A joyful heart is good medicine ~ Proverbs 17:22a

Let’s set some time aside for Jesus right now. Quiet your heart, find an isolated place and let’s pray.

PRAY THIS WITH ME TODAY (in your own words)

Holy Spirit,

Meet us in our room, in our car, or wherever we are bowing our knee to You!

We ask that when we have done all we can do, You step in and do what only YOU can do.

Jesus, we know that You know all things and that You are in control of every situation. We are waiting for Your glory to sweep into the room with us.

Lord, I turn my will and my heart to You. You are in control where I am not. Lord, let my actions and reactions reflect You. 

Surround us with Your glory; let Your glory be in us.

Lord, help us reflect You and not ourselves in our everyday lives.

In Jesus Name

Amen