The title of this post sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. Instead, it was the beginning of my Saturday morning. With my husband and three older daughters away camping, it's just me and the baby. My plan was to go to visit with my illustrator for a few hours in Grand Rapids - an hour away. Sounds simple. Until I realized that my wallet wasn't in my purse.
I had no idea where my wallet was. Completely stumped, I stared at my purse, thinking that maybe the mere power of my angry eyes could make it appear. Once again, I accepted the fact that I have no supernatural powers. What I did have this morning was a temper-fuse of a half-inch leading to some pretty seriously unstable TNT.
Over the phone, my husband checked my daughters purses and my mother offered helpful but maddeningly unsuccessful suggestions. The baby decided that crying and crawling after me like a lost puppy in need of a bottle was a good choice and the cat, enjoying the scene of the baby constantly under my feet, joined in, tripping my at every turn. I'm not proud, but I was crying. OK, I was sobbing. (At least you will know are not the only mom who suffers from extreme emotions!)
My mom prayed with me over the phone, asking every saint in heaven, especially St. Anthony to help her unfortunate daughter find her sanity and her wallet. Mom prayed to our Holy Mother, Mary, for a shred of patience and wisdom that would set my eyes on what I sought. And then I heard a whisper in my ear and I knew exactly where my wallet was.
The stroller.
I went for a walk yesterday and tucked my wallet in the back of the stroller in case I should be creamed by a truck and needed to be identified. (Yes, my mind thinks like that.)
My mom whooped and hollered for joy that what had been lost (my sanity) was now found. My frustration-sobs were replaced by tears of relief. I thanked God and St. Anthony and Mary for their tolerance of me and felt unworthy but relieved that God really does listen to every little prayer. But He had more in store for me. As if to remind me that He fills my cup to overflowing, another and greater prize than my wallet awaited ...a butterfly in our little butterfly garden had emerged. (You can insert your own symbolism here.)
Out of great struggles come greater rewards. God whispered in my ear today and then blessed me further by allowing me the opportunity to watch the first flight of a Swallow-tail butterfly.
All that before 10:00 AM.
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