Looking on the Bright Side

I don't like to subscribe to Murphy's Law--I don't automatically assume that everything that can go wrong will. In fact, I consider myself more of an optimist, trying most of the time to see the upside of life.

Today has been a challenging (an optimist's word for bad) day by several standards. After a frustrating e-mail exchange earlier today, I had a much-needed phone conversation with someone tonight. However, I'm still feeling frustrated by my lack of communication--I feel like I did a poor job of expressing my feelings and expectations. (Doubly frustrating for me considering that I was a communications major in college, for pete's sake.)

To top things off, the gate leading into my backyard broke this evening. I just opened it to wheel the trash can down to the street, and instead of it opening as it normally does, some of the brick holding it in place crumbled and the gate came unhinged. I was able to prop it up, but I'll have to have it repaired soon. The gate and the brick are probably both original to the house, which would be 50+ years, so it may be best to replace the gate as well as the brick. I cringe at what that may do to my savings account.

I'm feeling quite overwhelmed right now. But I'm able to look at the bright side. The day wasn't a total loss--I had a very good, productive day at work. A friend took me to lunch. No bills in the mail today.

And, in the midst of the frustration that I'm feeling both physically and emotionally tonight, I know that God already knew all of this was going to happen, and that He wouldn't have allowed it if He didn't know that I could handle it with His help. I suppose this is a real opportunity for Christ's strength to shine, because I'm feeling awfully weak right now.

Another bright side--it's bedtime, which means the day is over and a new, hopefully better, one awaits!