Simple Things II

I know a while ago I wrote about the simple pleasures of life. Not long after, in response to my being anxious about feeling a little off sometimes, my cousin Michele urged me to return to those simple things.

Well sometimes those simple things come along without your asking! In the midst of record high temperatures here in the Bluegrass our good AC broke. At first I was boiling mad (and boiling hot). But the whole experience has uncovered so many things...

I remembered that the air conditioner was purchased by my grandparents who kindly and without complaint moved us to Kentucky last year, and I thought of how much fun we had caravaning across the midwest with them.

I remembered, as I was bouncing of the walls with frustration, how patient my husband is as he discussed warranties and repairs with the manufacturer.

I remembered what kind of friends we have as they tracked down and leant us what we needed to try and fix it, giving consolation along the way.

I remembered what a good father I have when without hesitation he started troubleshooting with us then offered to send us a new unit.

I remembered the people in our neighborhood, so to speak, when we moved the dumpy AC we got from our nice landlord earlier this summer and a co-worker offered to give us her's if we needed it.

I remembered the odd blessings of my job and car that, though often at the center of my complaints, are now two ways I can stay cool.

In the end, Alan and I decided to camp out on the pull out with the old air conditioner chugging away in the window behind us so we can at least sleep in comfort. And so once again I am thankful for the simple things, that which goes wrong sometimes, and how much they both reveal the depth of God's mercy in my life and the love of those around me.