How to De-stress

I spent the day like any hard working coach of a science Olympiad team would on the day before the regional contest...I shopped for a 50's poodle skirt outfit for my niece's wedding. Surprisingly the only clothes that would do could only be found in the children 's department .

"Ma'am, do you have a crinoline slip.... It's er ...for my daughter. Ok, actually it is for me, but in the larger children sizes, it might fit. I need it to wear under my poodle skirt. uh... yes, I did say poodle skirt. You see, it is for a Vegas wedding....do you think these cute little ruffle socks will fit me?
"Well no, I don't wear a size 6 children's shoe, but socks stretch. I think I will take them. I have looked every where, and can you believe, not a single woman's department carries ruffled bobby socks in my size?"
And so on.

By the end of the afternoon, I had my full wedding outfit, and since it was all bought in children's departments, it cost very little. I can't wait to hop in my socks. It took my mind totally off of Science Olympiad and getting nervous. I like to get nervous about things a month in advance...like this wedding. By the time it arrives, I will have moved on to other nerve wracking events.

But now, it is early morning and I am supposed to be packing our lunch, our trebuchet, our helicopters, our emergency repair kits, and our schedule in the car. Today is the big day. I have not forgotten to bow my head and say a prayer for all the kids that have worked their hearts out for their Science Olympiad events. There were so many frustrations, failures, setbacks, and disappointments this year...and yet, here we are still smiling on the day of competition. At least I think my daughter is smiling...it's hard to tell in the dark.

Paul of the Bible has a lot to say about enduring struggle. He reminds God's children that troubles feel so unpleasant at the time, but if we can endure, we will reap unfathomable rewards. I know that to be true, because I struggled mightily to get those size 6 children socks on my feet, but my oh my, they looked pretty with their little ruffles around my ankles.

Hebrews 12:7-13
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.


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