I might as well say it.

I’m in a funk.

It’s not a fun place to be.  And it’s an unhealthy one, too.

I’m feeling sorry for myself because nothing is going my way.

You’ve been in that place, I’m sure.

That place where it feels like God is actively involved in the lives of others around you.

But does He even know we exist?  (Don’t answer that!)

 

This life isn't about us... it's about serving others.

 

Yesterday I was working at a little side gig… sewing away on pillows… upstairs of one of the little cute shops in our little downtown… when the shop owner came upstairs to ask me if I had a strong stomach.

I turned around and said… “Sorta.  Why?”

She was beside herself.  An elderly man was in the shop when he accidentally defecated… leaving (sorry to be so graphic) plops on the floor on his way out the door.

Would I help?

How could I say, no?

Believe me, I wanted to.

She didn’t have the appropriate cleaning items in her shop for this little disaster.  But, I improvised and worked furiously to get it up and out the door for disposal.

And yes, customers continued to come in, and I worked quickly to get it cleaned up as best I could, and then covered with paper towels, and the entry floor mat.

I suggested that she call a carpet cleaner to come in to deep-clean and disinfect the contaminated areas (which she did) and then went upstairs to resume my sewing… after washing my hands several hundred times.

Some time later, the shop owner came up and thanked me and left some money on my worktable.

I told her I was happy to help… it’s what we do and she didn’t need to give me anything for my help.  But she insisted… and I knew I needed to accept her gift.

This morning I exchanged emails with the gal for whom I’m doing the sewing.  She mentioned she had stopped in our little workshop, but on the way up, she ran into the downstairs shop owner and relayed this…. “The shop lady was singing your praises and I wanted to thank you, too, for going WAY above and beyond. I have known her for three years now and she knows I am a Christian but hasn’t ever ventured there until yesterday saying how thankful to God she was for you and what an answer to her prayers. You made a great impression on her and were a great example of Jesus.”

I have to tell you… I feel pretty much like the stuff I was cleaning up from the carpet.

And… I pretty much feel God is as disinterested in me as I was in the “people plop.”

But… that didn’t stop Him from still using me to touch someone.

 

This life isn't about us... it's about serving others.

 

I’m reminded that this life isn’t about us… it’s about serving others. 

It doesn’t really matter that life isn’t going your way… or even that it seems you’ve been forgotten… God still can use you and will… if you put the needs of others before your own.

 

Maybe there’s something for you in the midst of this crazy story.

If there was a nudge on your heart… let me know.

And if you feel inclined to pray for a breakthrough… I would appreciate it.  We need God to move a mountain between now and the end of April.  I know He’s able… but, I also know He’s sovereign… and right now, I’m embarrassed to say that isn’t very encouraging.

 

This life isn't about us... JoyDay!

 

It’s JoyDay!

JoyDay! is a weekly practice here at An Extraordinary Day! where we take time to look back over the past week and count seven things in gratitude.  We count the good and the not-so-good… in community…. please join us…

I’ll start…

Thank you God for…

  1. unexpected connections with wonderful friends.
  2. cold, dreary, rainy days.
  3. two beautiful sunsets this week.
  4. food on the table and a roof over our heads.
  5. this mountain that you seem to be disinterested in moving.
  6. my tech guru.
  7. Holy Week.

It’s YOUR turn! Scroll down to the comment section and add in your “seven.”

 

Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.

May your week overflow with unimaginable Joy! Signature - AnExtraordinaryDay.netReceive FREE inspiration like this in your inbox!
Sign up Now

Comments

  1. Oh…there is so much I can say to this post…but what I will say is thank you for doing the right thing even when You didn’t want to. I am in the middle of a battle and I am so hoping that the other person finally sees the truth and does the right thing before I have to intervene. Just a tough spot to be in.

  2. Ann-Marie says

    Dear Joy:
    I read your blog and thought “there but for the grace of God go I” for over 25 years I had a problem that I ended up wearing special undergarments (that’s the nice way of saying it), Before that there was many a time I had accidents and I was thankful for the undergarments and I thank every day that I never had a problem like the gentleman who you talked about but you know I think he was also grateful to you for doing the clean up.

  3. Gwen says

    Yes. To be doing the least of things is the highest of things in Christ’s kingdom. That’s exciting to be used so wonderfully!!! God can use any means in any way to bring a woman to saving grace. One woman sews seed for three years…you’ve now watered the seed planted in this woman’s heart…and someone else will reap the harvest. And God who sees the beginning to the end had you in a place did you even know this humble sewing spot existed ten/fifteen years ago??? And so mightily God would use you to minister to so many ??? The man. The downstairs shop owner. The person for whom you sew pillows. Your readers. And we feel encouraged –as I see your long lingering on and on and on of adversity and yet you wrote blog posts I got lost in looking at all the inspiration….and you’ve written another Joy Day on a day when at 3:00 AM I awoke in deep deep sorrow for many things and felt that on my journey of joy at THIS stop my tears slipping from my eyes pooled to form the lake in my journey of joy. And that I do feel forgotten. Left out. Oh so many other things. But I wrote my page of my journey of joy and stopping and forming a lake…and when will deep sorrow never end? And then I’m going to do my seven today for I do have some bright spots
    1. I’ve talked to Mom so many times this week!!! We’ve reminisced and laughed and cheered each other with little stories of life
    2. There are birds singing outside the windows and it’s not too hot nor too cold.
    3. I’m able to connect to a young distant relative and tell her family history
    4. My gardener is very wise and protective
    5. I had my childhood friend here 12 hours to help me prepare for an event/get together dinner for 12 women in my home and we did it!!! Our recipes were made up and tasted delicious. There was laughter and giggling.
    6. I completed all on my list of things to do in great effort and it feels good to have things done
    7. I can pray for my dear friends who are now missionaries and it is not safe in their area of Peru right now
    It is Palm Sunday. I miss going to church. But I close my eyes and see branches waving. And these woven Palm things handed out my Dad saved…He loved Palm Sunday!

  4. Debbi Saunders says

    I am so grateful for the return of “Joy Day” even though it may have been the hardest post you have had to write, Thank You! I look forward to them more than you may really know….
    Thank you God…
    1. For enlightenment and a peace filled week, though my situation has not yet changed….
    2. For Easter Week…
    3. For your endless Love and patience with me…
    4. For going before and paving the way for understanding between myself and a parent….
    5. For putting on my heart something you wished me to share with my brother and a totally unexpected awesome response!!
    6.For finding you have spoken to me in some of the most unexpected places..
    7. For the trials and challenges, hurts and people whom without I would not have come to depend solely on you for every my every need!

  5. Lea says

    I will say a prayer for you. Keep your chin up because as we all know the Lord moves in mysterious ways. When we are going through these rough times as hard as it is when it is behind us we easily see the miracle. He loves you. Have you ever heard of the book Jesus Calling? It is a daily devotional that you might like.

    That was very kind of you to help out when needed. I know it wasn’t easy for you but you did what needed to be done. That poor man. I can’t help but wonder if he has any help at home.

    Take care and know that you are in my prayers.

Please Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts!

*

AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.