The Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

 Judith Viorst wrote a children's book Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.  I love the subtle humor and pathos of gum in Alexander's hair and of him tripping over a skateboard as his rises from bed.  The repetition of the phrase "This is a terrible horrible no good very bad day" builds the frustration Alexander feels as things just don't go his way.

Yesterday was just such a day for us.  We had committed to giving a portion of our household goods to Church for a rummage sale.  The preparation and waiting for the trailer caused apprehension and concern in both of us.  Smitty and I moved a futon out of the guest bedroom.  While I waited for him to bring back some tape, I thought of all of the family, friends, and acquaintances we had housed; many had slept on this very bed.  I wanted to pull the futon back into the room, curl up in a ball, and defiantly ward off any who would take "my things" from me.  The Spirit spoke gently to my heart and I reneged; my husband returned to find me sobbing.

The trailer finally arrived. We loaded bric-a-brac, furniture, and thirty-two years of memories.  Self-doubt and questioning my direction battled in my heart and mind.  Once our friends pulled away with the items I felt relief and sadness.

We then loaded our son's truck, and Smitty realized he did not have the keys.  We had also lost a cell phone in the frenzy of the morning.  The emotional impact of the "stuff of our lives" overwhelmed, but our uproar focused on two items that were lost.  Oh, and did I mention that we were watching our granddaughter?  When Tim arrived to collect his daughter and truck after work, we were frantic.  I won't bore with the agitated search for keys and phone, but some two hours later Tim left in our car with his distraught daughter.  His disabled truck sat at the curb.

Although we had prayed individually, Smitty and I then prayed together, ate our dinner, and he, using the new key AAA had made for us, worked on disconnecting the truck's kill switch.  We both felt like we were boxing with the wind.  As I read the Psalms, God gave me  "You are my help and deliverer, do not delay, O, my God."  I looked up to see rain pouring down and the sun shining.  Running outside, I witnessed a glorious rainbow.  Not long after, Smitty started the truck, and our no good very bad day ended in joy given by the One who loves us most.