I am clearly in over my head. For months now, I’ve woken in the morning with a doom hanging over me, a sort of cloud that blots out the rustle of the wind through the trees, the birds singing, the sunshine through my red curtains.
It’s my to-do list. Master To-Do. He owns me. And I can never please MTD because, like evil Pharaoh who made the Israelites hunt for their own straw while requiring them to construct the same number of bricks, every time I get something done, evil Master To-Do adds something else.
Makes a girl want to move to Hawaii or something. Leave it all behind. And should you think I jest, let me just say that a flight to Jamaica on Travelocity is only $500…
The thing is, I thought I had a handle on my life. Thought I was getting it done, maybe not in style, but hey, I distinctly remember a home-cooked meal at least once last week, and I was not only in church on Sunday with matching clothes, but managed to pull off children’s church with a smile.
Yeah, I can do this, I thought. I had even helped my son Peter pack for his big week at camp, producing not only a freshly-purchased rain poncho, but sunscreen and bug dope, as well as a fully filled out medical form. I was feeling good when hubby and I packed Peter in the car and headed to camp, some five-plus hours from our house. So we arrived thirty minutes after check in time – we arrived, didn’t we?
We headed for the camp office to check him in. The sounds of excited children filled the courtyard. Peter was just in time for dinner and fun. Sidling up to the counter, I said, “I’m here to check my son in for camp.”
The cute blonde receptionist pulled out the list for the week and began running her finger down the names until she came to the Ws. She frowned. Looked up at me. “What’s his name?”
I repeated, and just to help, sorta leaned over the desk, peering at the list upside-down. I noted it had the title, “Young Teens Camp.” Peter is eleven…not quite a young teen. “I think you have the wrong week there.”
She looked up at me, looked at the page, the dates. Shook her head. “Nope.” Then, as a coldness slid through me, she said, “I have a Sarah Warren here…but no Peter for this week.”
Sarah. My daughter Sarah. Who was also signed up for camp….next week. The same Sarah who was back home….five-plus hours back home….
I looked at the blonde and hung onto the counter, feeling my knees turn noodley. “Please, please don’t tell me that I brought the wrong kid to camp.”
Everything went very, very quiet. In the office. In my brain. My son barreled into the room at that moment – “Hey mom, what cabin am I in?”
I turned, wide-eyed and took a deep breath. “Perhaps you should step outside for just a moment.”
He obeyed without comment, probably afraid of the hue of my face. Thankfully, the Camp Director happened to be standing nearby and she quickly shoved me into a chair and began consulting her cabin status. “We have a spot for him,” she said, offering hope.
“But this is the only week we have open for your daughter.”
Of course it was.
“We’ll hold her spot if you want to go back and get her.”
Oh sure, I’ll just scurry home and be back in a jiffy. I sighed. Put my head between my knees.
“We’ll get her here,” my husband said quietly.
We got Peter settled into his cabin, and set back along our course, me still light-headed. I called Sarah. Told her to start packing (which meant digging through the Everest size laundry pile for clothing that a. didn’t smell or b. could be washed and dried in time). I told her we’d leave first thing in the morning.
And this is where God stepped in. The moment where Psalm 35:22 came to life. “Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Awake and rise to my defense! Contend for me my God and Lord!” Of course, my only enemy here was…uh, myself and my dysfunctional need to say yes to everything. But still, God stepped in…via my cell phone.
On the other line was my pal Naomi. Who was wondering if I might be home and free to hang out.
I burst into hysterical laughter, then explained my plight.
And she said… “How about if I pick her up and drive her half-way to meet you?”
Again, I needed to put my head between my knees.
But that’s what happened. My incredible friend dropped her life, drove a half-hour the other direction to pick up my daughter and then drove two hours to meet my hubby and me so we could drive Sarah to camp.
Getting Sarah there just as the lights-out bell chimed.
“Contend Lord, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.” Sometimes I wonder if I am my own worst enemy. The good part is that God is for me… “The Lord be exalted who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
At least I have someone one my side. Fighting against the me who would make a mess of my life. “My tongue will proclaim your praises all day long.”
Now, if one of these Me’s could just remember to pick up the kids on Saturday…
Susan May Warren is a former missionary to Russia and lover of great stories. When not penning riveting suspense novels for Tyndale and Steeple Hill, she can be found in Minnesota, drinking coffee and trying to hide from Master To-Do list. Her newest suspense-romance from Steeple Hill, IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING is a 2006 CHRISTY AWARD FINALIST. Her first chick novel EVERYTHING'S COMING UP JOSEY - rated a Top Pick and 4.5 stars from Romantic Times Magazine - is out now with Steeple Hill Cafe. Read more about susan at her website or stop by her blog!
Oh Susan, if I could reach through this screen right now and give you a bug hug I would! This could have been me, really, really, really. So glad you (we) have God our your (our) side :-)
um, this would make a great scene in a mom-lit story...
Posted by: julie carobini | June 21, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Oh Susan. I'm sorry, but I laughing my head off. That is way too funny. Why am I laughing so hard? Well ... guess what? Yep. Been there done that. Fortunately, mine was only an hour and a half away, but oh such memories you evoked. :o}
Posted by: Ane Mulligan | June 22, 2006 at 08:38 AM
Oh Susie!! That's incredible! Wrong kid to camp. I suppose it happens! But how wonderfully God worked it out.
You're awesome!
Love, Rachel
Posted by: Rachel Hauck | June 22, 2006 at 09:28 AM
Susan, this was a brilliant post (and even though I felt awful for you, it gave me a LOT of comfort). The Master To Do list certainly contends against all of us overwhelmed women. I'm trying to remember I've been rescued from it.
Posted by: sharon hinck | June 22, 2006 at 09:17 PM
I am a sick, sick woman, but your story brightened my day! It's not just me who's overcommitted and overwhelmed. And God does care!
Posted by: Tricia Goyer | June 22, 2006 at 10:23 PM
Oh Susie! This is so like my life... LOL I love you for sharing it. And that Naomi is a gem. :) Hope you two get to have some fun soon.
mary
Posted by: Marilynn | June 26, 2006 at 07:35 PM
I have no husband nor any child. Nor any close friend of God's and mine, Susie!
But? I have a book to read which you have written and lots of time to get smitten!
You always make my day!
Luv, Gail
Posted by: GAIL K KROLL | June 30, 2006 at 09:33 PM