Have You Ever Had One of Those Days?

Have you ever had one of those days..? I have. I had "one of those days" today.

image

Early Start Aborted

I planned to get an early start so I could get to the airport on time for an 6:20 AM flight. I loaded my suitcase on the back of my motorbike, only to find that I couldn't find my keys. I took the suitcase off the bike and did a quick search. Nothing. I tied it back on. I took everything out of my purse and backpack. Nothing. So I took the suitcase off the bike again for a second investigation. After searching for twenty minutes, I found the keys in the bag that holds my various chargers...in the suitcase, of course.


I had put the keys there the night before specifically so I wouldn't forget to pack my Kindle and charger. Unfortunately, I had woken up in the middle of the night when the Kindle had finished charging and packed it away, forgetting the keys were in the bag. 

Parking Lot Run-Around

When I got to the airport, I found they had renovated the parking area into unrecognizability. Consequently, I spent half an hour driving around the airport, sometimes unavoidably going the wrong way on one-way roads before finally finding a parking space. I really, truly, dislike the airport in Denpasar, Bali.

Miserable Flight

My flight to Singapore was not really all that bad in and of itself. The problem was with me. I still have not recovered completely from flu that I wrote about two days ago. Thankfully, though, my earache was gone, and the stuffy nose had developed into a bad cough. Although nasty, a cough is a lot easier to handle on a plane. Even so, I was still miserable and dozed for most of the flight.

A Seat on the Train

Once in Singapore, I had an hour and a half ride the subway system (MRT) I had to take to get to the place where I was staying. I dreaded the likelihood of having to stand on the trains, so it was a very pleasant surprise when a couple school boys actually got up to give me a seat. That should be common practice, but in actuality, it rarely happens. Twenty-something Indian men giving up their seat, yes. Junior high school boys, not so much. This was truly a gift when I most needed it as I was still feeling pretty awful.

No One Home

I got to my friend's house where I was staying an hour earlier than I was expected, only to find no one was at home. This was not a huge problem as I needed to go back out and look for a sewing machine that a friend back in Indonesia asked me to pick up. So, even though I was still not feeling well, I left my carry on suitcase at the house inside the gate and dragged myself back to the MRT.

Sewing Machine Sought and Found

In the city, I went to the Court's store in the area I am most familiar with. They didn't have either of the sewing machine models I was looking for, so I had to go to another store in an area I did not know. After a bit of a run-around, I finally found what I needed. 

Things Look Up

I also met a delightful Singaporean woman who went to great lengths to demonstrate all the different stitches the machine could do. She didn't need to sell me on the machine. I came knowing I wanted that model. But that extensive demonstration did something for me. 

Teresa was like a breath of fresh air. She was just doing her job. It was nothing extraordinary. But she obviously loves what she does. By doing her job, she gave me a chance to sit down and rest in a cool building. She gave me a chance to think about something other than feeling hot, and tired, and sick, and miserable.God used this woman's kindness and enthusiasm to lift my spirits.

Back at the House

When I returned to my friends' home, I was welcomed warmly, as always, and I enjoyed a low-key evening with some amazing people. God used them as well to bring refreshing when I particularly needed it.

And Now...

As I write this, I still have a cough. I am really looking forward to getting to bed.  But I am no longer miserable. God has brought me through this day. He has given me His strength in the middle of my weakness. I look forward to seeing what He will do tomorrow.