Girlfriends, I was in the Goodwill store’s parking lot the
day before Thanksgiving. (Hi. My name is
Carrie and I’m a constant thrifter.) Anyway…Clay
had the first rugrat with him at work and I had taken the second to the store
with me. We were about to exit the
vehicle when an obnoxious smell assaulted my nostrils from the carseat behind
me. Girlfriends, you know what I’m
talking about. So, here were my options:
1)take her in the store in that state and pray she doesn’t scream bloody murder
the whole time while also keeping my distance from all other customers, 2) just
take her on home and deal with it there…since the store has no clean changing
tables in the restroom, or 3) climb into the back seat and deal with the
matter.
Momma chose the last option.
Since there are carseats blocking each door, I surveyed the surrounding
vehicles to make sure I wouldn’t be free entertainment and chose to climb over
the console in my skinny jeans and tall boots.
I not so gracefully struggled to get my hips followed by all these legs
and boots through that narrow opening between the front seats. Here’s my PSA for the week…that opening is
NOT intended for grown women to pass through…just saying. Even down from my pregnant weight of 200 lbs
to my current weight of…well…there are some things even girlfriends don’t share...it
was a snug, snug fit. But, big girl made
it.
I took care of the disastrous diaper as I sat in the tiny
space between the two carseats. Just as
I was finishing up, two people got into the minivan in front of me. No problem.
I’ll just struggle over the empty carseat and get out. What I had forgotten was that we had child
locked the back doors. So, I waited as
they both lit their cigarettes and just sat there…and sat there…and sat
there. Baby Girl was getting restless
and I was going to have to make a move soon.
So…my only option was looking the fool as I gave the minivan in front of
me a very up-close and personal look at my backside.
So, over and between the seats I went. And, of course, I got stuck and took twice as
long as I did previously to get all those legs and boots and hips back where
they were supposed to be. I had to look
up…just to see what their faces looked like.
One was laughing…the other was horrified. And with that…I got tickled myself. It had to be funny…besides…I’d given them a
good laugh for the day. I’m not so
special that people shouldn’t know how loony I can be from time to
time…well…most of the time.
And so…the Lord helped me to continue to learn to let go…to
not take myself so seriously…to realize that it isn’t about me. It’s about being happy and content (Philippians
4:11 ) in WHATEVER situation I find
myself in…even looking the fool crawling through seats with an up-close
audience.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I
speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content.
I used to worry about what everyone thought about me and
held their opinion in the highest regard.
It’s amazing how flawed that thinking is. Sure, I need to be a good example so no one
has an occasion to question my love for the Lord (Matthew 5:16 ). But, when I
worry about their opinion of me to the point that it hinders or adds to who I
know I need to be and what I need to do…it just ain’t right…it’s worrisome and
pretentious. And that’s certainly not
having a gentle and quiet spirit.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Quietly Gentled,
Carrie.
