Have you ever felt like Charlie Brown? No matter what Charlie Brown did, bad luck seemed to follow him. That describes my week in Lookout Mountain of Chattanooga. My son, Parker, and his team are playing in the Dixie Youth State tournament. So far, we’ve gone undefeated! If we win State, we’ll go to the World Series! What’s bad about that? Well….
If you’re a 15 year old teenager who had her summer vacation canceled to travel with her younger brother’s ball team …it’s BAD.
If you’re a dad that desires to cheer for his son during the State tournament but has to stay home and work because the only other manger in his company had emergency surgery on his week off…well, it’s BAD (he has driven back and forth a few days!)
If you’re the 11 year old ball player that made it to the State tournament after battling the Chickenpox’s, spiked a fever of 103 on day two of the tournament, spent the morning at the children’s hospital only to discover he had a 24 hour virus, cut his finger in the hotel swimming pool, caught poison oak from the pretty bush located near the batting cage; has struck out several times in a row, and THEN, woke up last night with server ear pain due to mountain allergies…It’s BAD
If you’re the mom who has gotten lost a dozen times driving up and down Lookout Mountain (I was seriously afraid we’d have to become Mt people for the rest of our lives if I didn’t find my way out!)…if you’re the mom who hasn’t had any sleep due to a sick child, spent the wee hours of the morning in a strange hospital; is known by name in Walgreens, Chattanooga; has lost her room key 3 times, had a black man folding her underwear when she didn’t return for her clothes soon enough, and the best one….
I forgot to lock the door to the women’s bathroom and some crazy woman (who didn’t think to knock first) swung the door wide open exposing me while I sat on the potty with my underwear down around my ankles. I screamed, “Hey, close the door!”
This caught the attention of everyone sitting on the bleachers directly in front of the women’s rest room. At that point, all I could do is wave. Once, I got the nerve to open the door and come out, my husband was selling tickets! If you were me, you’d say it’s been BAD!
Even though our family has the Charlie Brown syndrome this week, we’ve praised God. We couldn’t’ do anything else. Each time, I cried out this verse came to mind; “Rejoice in the Lord always, again, I say rejoice.” I know God was teaching us how to live moment by disappointing moment. So with every quirky adventure, every sickness, every strikeout, we praised the Lord as we drove down the mountain. It gave us joy in the midst of our misery as we trusted God’s plan in this adventure. What an adventure it has been! It’s been a trip we won’t forget soon. It’s been a trip full of crazy memories, but best of all Parker hit two home runs in yesterday’s game—TWO!! That makes it all worthwhile!
It reminded me that in this world we’ll face hard times, but there is a day coming when we’ll live in paradise and earth will be but a distant memory. I trust we’ll look back on those hard times that are preparing us for Kingdom living and be able to say…it was worth it.
Renee Swope says
Oh my gosh, you and your EXPOSURE episodes!!! I laughed so hard, I cried!!!!
Why is that your blessings come with such drama?
Girl, I am praying for all of you! Man, what a week!!!!!!!!
Love yoU!
Renee
Dana says
OH, Micca! I had to laugh…so hard! Things exactly like this ALWAYS happen to my family too! Thank you for sharing another “exposure” episode! I hope your husband split the dough with you!!
Dana
Carol Davis says
Did you ever watch Hee Haw?? You remember when they were all sitting on the couch…one guy was blowing in a jug…and they were singing, “Gloom, despair..and agony on me…. AWWWWW…”
I think you qualify for a place on the couch. 🙂
Bless your heart, girl! I am praying for ya!
teacupsandtime says
Are you kidding me! Incredible! On a positive note, you got some great stories in there! Thanks for having the “guts” to share – made my week look like a piece of cake!
Samantha @ the Listener's post says
Wow! What a week Micca! Thanks for letting us have a laugh over it. Between glass elevators, public laudramats and ballpark restrooms, maybe you should start having your messages embroidered on your underwear – then you can have Q&A; sessions afterwards and take up an honorarium!
Hope this coming week is a little less, um, revealing.
In Him,
Sam
elaine @ peace for the journey says
Usually, I prefer the mountaintop moments. But in this case, I think the traveling down holds my preference. Thank you for your joy in the midst of crazy difficult.
peace~elaine
Lelia Chealey says
So funny!! I’m telling you Micca, God just keeps you suppied with material to talk to us about! 🙂
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
Wow girl! More to speak about! I am so proud of you going up and down the mtn because I won’t even do that! 🙂
I am praying for you all.
Much love,
ANgela
Mari says
I’m sorry your week was so crazy, but look at all the good stories and analogies you can draw out of it 🙂
It’s so good you have an eternal perspective or you might never leave the house again!
Blessings to you
Mari
Bonita says
Micca, I want to travel with you sometime because you have entirely too much fun!
Me says
I was enjoying your blog a great deal until I got to the part where you discuss the “black” man folding your underwear. I’m not certain how race is even remotely relevant to your story. As a Christian woman and an African-American, I have always felt and been called to be a messenger of Christ. Christ has never told me to call a person out based on race and whether you believe so or not your statement makes it clear that the experience of a stranger touching your underwear was made much worse by the fact that the stranger was black.
I pray that God will provide you with fresh revelation regarding your perception of other races. That statement -that “qualifier” -was completely unnecessary.
God bless you and your ministry.
Micca says
Dear “Me,”
I’m so sorry that my comment about a “black” man offended you. Perhaps it was your preception.
I have many “black” friends…one in which I’m sending time with in GA right now. We exercise together, our kids play ball, together, and we call ourselves friends. We also use the word “black” in our conversations.
So, please know that I don’t have a racial problem and didn’t intend that statement as you recieved it.
Sweet blessings to you!
Me says
Thank you, Micca.
I don’t find the word “black” offensive. I just don’t see why it is necessary to refer to the stranger folding your underwear as a “black” man. He is a male stranger…period. You described other people with whom you interacted but never described them as “an Asian man” or “a white woman” who opened the door to the bathroom stall. Why did the stranger folding your underwear need a racial qualifier? Regardless of race, a stranger was touching your undergarments and that is odd in spite of race. I believe that is an important point to consider.
I appreciate your wish for blessings upon me. I wholeheartedly wish the same for you, your family and your ministry!
Your sister in Christ,
RK