Josiah Road

My NOT So Wonderful Day

posted by Daniel Blackaby 28Mar

The day started like no other. The sound of bluebirds softly humming the hallelujah chorus lifted me out of a deep slumber. The warmth of the morning sun’s rays burst into my room. I’d lived overseas three months, and never had the Norwegian sunrise been so beautiful. Surely today was a blessed day!

Stepping out of a warm shower, I reached for a comb. But no need—my hair had magically fallen into place! I flashed a grin towards the mirror; my teeth sparkled. What a day indeed!

Then it dawned on me, as if destiny itself was guiding my thoughts…today was the day to talk to HER! Long blond hair, nicely complimenting her sky-blue eyes. She was everything I ever wanted in a woman…she was my mail lady.

I witnessed her drive up in front of my condo every morning at approximately 8 a.m. Love at first sight! And on this wonderful day, I formulated the ultimate scheme to win this lovely maiden’s heart. Hearing the sound of approaching tires, I glanced at my watch: 7:55 a.m.—what a day this would be!

Gathering all the poor, neglected garbage in my condo, three large bags full, I decided it was time to take them out to the bin…that just happened to be right beside the mailboxes.

I stepped outside into the pure Norwegian air…She was getting closer. With all three bags in my right hand, I nonchalantly started flexing some morning curls with them, giving a lazy yawn into my left hand. She came closer. I strutted into the middle of the street. She was mere feet from me now; the moment of truth had arrived. How could anything go wrong on a day like this? Looking up, our eyes momentarily connected. In that moment, my world was turned upside down—literally.

To the soundtrack of screeching tires, I realized that I was two feet in the air, with my toes pointing skywards. The new vertically inverted position I found myself in provided clear view of the patch of ice onto which I had stepped. BAM! My face smashed into the hood of her van while my garbage bags burst open, littering the streets. Scurrying away on all fours, beet-red faced, I muttered, “What a horrible morning!”

Even as a Christian, I sometimes fall into this trap of being prideful when life is going well. I can begin to misinterpret God’s blessings as my own successes. Proverbs 16:18 warns: “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” When I experience blessings, I often become prideful, and start relying on my own plans and wisdom, rather than seeking God’s guidance. It often takes a failure or disappointment for God to bring me back down to reality. If I won’t humble myself—God sometimes does it for me.

I find myself thinking about the times God has blessed my education, my career, and my relationships. I want to be careful not to take credit for the work of God. I no longer want to make my own plans and expect God to automatically bless them. I want to keep a humble heart and never forget the One who wants to guide my steps. My encouragement to you my friends is, “Don’t wait for the fall.” I can tell you from experience—it isn’t fun!