Character matters. It really does. How you handle the craziness of life matters.

Will you get bent out of shape because life around you is tripping?

Not me.

You see FATHER prepares us ahead of time for crazy days such as what I had Today.  He tells us how to get thru it.

Therefore put on 
the full armor of GOD, 
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able 
to stand your ground, 
and after you have done everything to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 NIV

Today was a “day of evil.” It was a day of sheer craziness. It was a day that, if I was not dressed in the complete suit of armor, my character would definitely reflect the frustration that the day was sending my way.

That is quite a thought…

What are we reflecting?

Who are we reflecting?

All that I know is that I did not, and refused to lose my joy in spite of what was meeting me on the road I travelled in this day.

What’s crazy is the day didn’t start off hectic. The day did not begin crazy. It actually began beautifully.

I awakened early – before the sun rose I was up. I was with Father, and He was pouring into me. Afterwards, I took a nap and then was awakened a second time to get my day started.

It was in the second half of the day that things took an unusual turn.

So here’s what happened …

A couple of weeks ago, I had a doctor appt in the afternoon, and that morning, we had to ride to Mobile Alabama for business.

So we got back in time for my appointment, but we stopped at the house for a much needed break after that drive and the work that had to be done. We old(er) folks were tired lol.

Well, we leave out, in time, for my doctor appt. I emphasize that we should have made it on time
But…

Somehow when we arrive it was later than we imagined. We should have been no more than 5-10 min late. Grace period is 15minutes late. But apparently we was 20 min late.

So they said, Mrs. Barbour. YOU are 20 minutes late. We are going to have to reschedule you.

I had one foot in the door. Literally.

Imagine this, I am in a brace because of my shoulder and I was holding the door open with my foot for my husband who was limping towards the door because he needs a hip replacement. So we both are looking pitiful (😂😂😂), and we don’t get good in the door when I am told…

No ma’am, not today. YOU are being rescheduled.

How would your attitude be?

My attitude was, “no problem”.

I honestly didn’t care. I didn’t feel like being seen at that moment any way, so it was right up my alley. No problem.

I had another appointment coming up so I gave them the dates and the time and let them choose what day they wanted to put me on.

That brings me to the antics of today…

Today, I arrive on time for my appt.

I even call them to let them know, “I am on the way.”

I arrive 2 minutes early, but I’m not called for my appointment.

(I had plans for my day and the extra time I thought I would have. I saw my plans wave bye bye to me and fly out the window. )

Ok this is where I should have recognized that things were taking a left turn.

When the nurse, at 2pm, scheduled my doctor to do a teleappointment with someone else during what should have been my appointment time – I should have known then that things were about to get iffy. But I kept cool, calm, and collected.

Was this payback from my being late two weeks ago. Ok lesson learned; and I remain chill.

And 30min later they call me back to be seen .

I go thru the first stage of the process of being seen. You know the usual – weight check. Temp check. Blood pressure. Blood pressure.. Blood pressure…

Another warning sign that the evil had arrived.

So the nurse asks me, “what is your pain level?”

I responded, “2.5 to 3”

She puts the bp cuff on my arm and it tightens 3x before it fails. She moves it to lower on my arm. It tightens…

I tell the nurse, “ask me now what my pain level is”.

This bp cuff fails 3x on the second try, so she moves on with the normal check in questions, then she tries a 3rd time. It was another epic fail. She leaves.

Another nurse comes in and takes my BP manually. 139/80 I’m fine.

Now we wait to see the doctor.

30min later I’m still not seen.

I had to leave so I could make it to my
Physical therapy appt.

Now mind you.
I’m not bent at all.

Things happen.

So when they were clear that I for real left the building (lol) they called me to explain that another patient needed extra attention.

Like I said I get it.
I’m healthy. 
And in the areas where I need that extra…
I go to physical therapy
Lol

So it’s all about the attitude.

( I love my peace even in the midst of crazy.)

So now let me tell you about the crazy.

Crazy is being on one side of the city and having to get to the other side of the city and not be late for the 2nd appointment, and all of a sudden traffic is atrocious.

My country boy husband (I love him) navigated the streets and every bit of crazy that came his way trying to get me from one end of town to the other.

Now let me tell you about the flow, and what I learned from when I missed the initial doc appt a couple of weeks ago.

I learned to pick up the phone and call.

This is what I did.

I picked up the phone and called the second doctor; and I found out that I had a 15min grace period with them.

But check this out…

Because I learned the lesson, let me tell you, not only was I not late.

I was about 2 minutes early for that appointment.

So in case you missed the lesson in all that I went thru…

The lesson was to communicate.

You see there was so many things that happened that could have stolen my peace. There was so many things that happened that could have affected my mood and the remainder of my day.

With the first incident I should have called to say, “listen there is some unexpected traffic. I’m on the way, but I might be late.”

Likewise, they should have communicated with me, “an emergency came up that we have to deal with.”

But what right did I have to get upset at their lack of communication when I failed to communicate first. That’s why I stayed chill.

With the second doctor, having learned my lesson with the first doctor, I picked up my phone which works and which I had with me, and I communicated that there was a possibility of an unexpected delay.

Things worked out.

This is the kind of communication that every one ultimately wants. It’s called …

COMMON COURTESY

It really only takes a few minutes of our time to inform another of our intents and of the unexpected. It helps others to plan their own time also.

Plus, it tells others that we value them and their time.

I personally don’t spend a lot of time “on” my phone talking – though I am always writing, because my writing apps (including my website) is on my phone too.

So I have no excuse in reference to being better at communicating.

I am definitely working on this.

Now.

My day ended well.

Thankfully, the day of evil isn’t a 24hour period of time. Evil passes when you resist it and don’t allow it to set up camp.

Character helps with that.

Character matters.