Life of the Rainers

Finding Humor in Frustrating Times

Lately I have been faced with frustrating times. These frustrating times have been very minor and trivial, but still very irritating. 

It is becoming very regular that I am running late for work. I am usually running around trying to make my lunch, pick out my clothes, and get myself ready. Last week all I had left to do was brush my teeth. As I was putting a bottle of hairspray up in the medicine cabinet and ready to grab my toothbrush, the hairspray comes tumbling down, knocking over a cup of red gatorade. It was like someone had taken a spray can of juice and sprayed it all over the bathroom. All I could do was stand there with my mouth open, not knowing where to start. I could not decide what to clean first: the wall, toilet, floor, shower curtain, or bath mat? As I was cleaning up, all I could do was laugh out loud. I remember thinking of this incident all day at work and it brought humor to my day.

Most of you know that I work with adolescents at a psychiatric hospital. Everyday brings its own frustrations , but here is an example. There is this 16 year old girl that has no impulse control. I don't know how many times I asked her to do a simple task (walk on the treadmill). After literally 15 times of asking her to do the same thing all I could do was laugh. Normally I would get so irritated I would be in a bad mood for the rest of the day. I sometimes wonder why the Lord has placed me in this job, but I am learning life lessons due to this job. 

Again today, I was running late for work and not feeling well. I came downstairs to make my lunch, opened the refridgerator door, and the shelf that holds all the condiments comes off and everything falls on the floor. As I go to pick up all the condiments I notice that the syrup is ALL over the floor. The syrup bottle had busted and syrup was EVERYWHERE. It took me so long to get all up, because it is so thick. I finally got it up using a wet cloth, hoping that all the stickiness was gone. I get up to shut the door and slip on the wet floor. My feet were going everywhere, but I was able to catch myself with the refridgerator door. I then pour myself something to drink and go upstairs to grab my cell phone so I can get out the door. I trip going up the stairs and almost get drenched in gatorade just like the other day. 

I am finally in my car on my way to work. I just start smiling about all that happened this morning.  I started wondering why I have been so accident prone lately and why I am working at a psychiatric hospital with adolescents. The Lord has been revealing to me in the last year that I need to lighten up a little and find humor in life. As most of you know I am high strung and desire consistency and structure. Over a year now, I have not had consistency or structure in my life.  I am thankful the Lord is teaching me lessons while on the job, it is what keeps me going. I am also thankful He is in control of my life and teaching me to lighten up and find humor in my frustrations. I am also blessed to have a patient husband that is a great example to me. I am slowly becoming more patient and laid back, but still have much more room for improvement.