Lost and Found … my keys and my temper

Today I’m VEXED because I’ve lost my keys.  

Also, my new barrettes (still in the package),
two socks (not a pair),
and my temper!

It wasn’t a world class Rumpelstiltskin snit;
it was a slow-burning internal squawk.

Do you do that?
Pretend it’s all good, but sizzle inside.

I do – more than I care to admit.

Here’s the issue …today.

I don’t lose things.  
I just don’t. 
I’m organized. 
I’m tidy. 
I put stuff away.

You could say I’m borderline arrogant about my organized tidiness.
There is a place for everything and everything should be in its place!
But today I cannot find my things.  

Where. Are. My KEYS!!!!!
Ugh.

After I turned the house upside down looking, I decided to pray. 

“GOD, WHERE ARE MY KEYS?”  I demanded.

Honestly, by that point, I didn’t care as much about finding my keys 
as I did about not wanting to admit that I’d lost them.

As the day wore on without any results or answers, I started grumbling.
And worrying. 
Am I losing my mind?
Alzheimer’s runs in my family. 
Is this how is starts?

I mentally tested myself.

I could remember the names and birthdates of my children and all my husbands.
Probably not Alzheimer’s after all.

Finally, I asked Dave, (Mr. 4-Ever), if he would help me. 
“Sure,” he said, and within minutes he produced my keys.
“Thank you!  Where were they?” I asked incredulously.
“In your purse.”
“But, I looked in my purse!”
“Well,” he said, “I asked God where your keys were, and he said to look in your purse, so I did, and there they were.”

Does God like Dave better than me?

I don’t think so.

Dave was listening for God.
And praying with expectation.

I’d been so busy fussing, squawking, grumbling and worrying that I could hardly think.
I was so stuck on preserving my reputation by working a system, retracing my steps, looking everywhere I’d ever tucked any key, stomping and storming, that it’s no wonder I couldn’t hear God’s still small voice.

Dang! 

Friend, I still don’t know where the new barrettes and socks are, but my keys and my calm have been restored.

How about you?  

Do you get yourself into such a snit that you can’t hear from God?

Stay calm.
Take a breath.
Give yourself a timeout.
Call in reinforcements.
Then listen again.

Scripture Refresher:  Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col. 3:12 NIV

Prayer: God, do I amuse you with my efforts to try to make my life work without considering you?  Do I hurt you when I’m so rattled that I can’t hear you? I know that your systems are dependable.  I know that your love will always redeem. Thanks for the reminder and the fresh start as often as I need it.  Amen.