Authenticity Challenge: Reality Stinks

Today I am not going to sugar-coat my Authenticity Challenge post.  I’m sitting in this chair trying to think of something of worth to post here, but I’m just going to be real instead. Christians do not always have great days. This wasn’t one of mine. That said, here are a few tidbits from the day:

• Change Happens: As I slogged my way downstairs this morning, Matt handed me the newspaper, carefully folded to an article on the sports section.  The headline spouted off unwelcomed news: our neighbor, a local high school coach, had taken another coaching job a few hours away.  This meant that the wonderful family who had been a part of our close-knit street for the last 8 years would be moving. (Major bummer.)
• Video Games Have Sucked the Life Out of My Boy: This day was DAY 2 of Alec’s week-long ban on video games.  My 8 year-old son has no idea what to do with himself now.  From 3 o’clock on, all he could say was “I don’t have anything fun to do!”  Seriously, he walked around in a fog all day.  (Exasperating bummer.)
• Something you should know about that guy in the hot dog suit standing on the highway waving you into the restaurant: Does he look silly? Yup, but the sad truth is that that guy makes more money than me.  I’m not kidding. Recently, I have forgotten how to say “no” and have volunteered too much of my limited professional time. The bottom line is that I don’t have enough hours in the day left to make some money to help support my family.  I love volunteering, but if we can’t afford my son’s monthly medications…well, I need to learn to say “Thanks, but no.”  (Authentic bummer.)
• Ants Rule the World: I came home this afternoon and found ants swarming my kitchen counter.  I have been fighting this ant war for months and I am losing the battle!  Frustrated, I actually duct-taped all of the potential entry spots on my kitchen wall.  Once again, there was a time when I could have picked up the phone and dialed an exterminator, but in this economy, that’s not an option.  The good news is that the duct tape seems to be working.  Just call me Bubba.  (Creepy-crawly bummer.)
• No one gets ready for bed without Mama’s help: Hello?  Why do I still have to turn the faucet on for my 8 and 10 year old?  Those kids are holding out on me…I just know it! (Moms Do It All Bummer.)

I don’t know if any of  you came her expecting some poignant post.  I hate to disappoint, but I’ve got to be real here. I’ve had better days than today.  Sometimes I feel weary.  Sometimes I feel drained and void of wisdom. Sometimes I just feel blah.

Oh, things could be much, much worse.  I am blessed just to here. I have no right to complain. But the truth is, I started out the day doing a Bible study, but allowed myself to slide into a pit of poor-meisms by the afternoon. God deserves better than that.

Here is where my faith plays into this day: God’s Word tells me that  I have another chance–God willin’– tomorrow.

[Because of] the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.

Lamentations 3:22-24 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

I’m ready to put this day to bed.

Lord, be with me right now. Be my portion today, tomorrow and for every day to come. You are so wonderful, and you deserve so much more than what I gave You today. Forgive me, Father, and please help me do better tomorrow.

Goodnight, dear friends.