Stop and Smell the Skunks - WHAT?!?!

Each morning I rise around 4:30 a.m. and NO, I am NOT a morning sorta gal!  So why, you may ask do I choose to rise at such a ridiculous hour??? It is because without starting my day with thanksgiving, praise and prayer, my whole attitude is just out of sync and I tend to fail to see the blessings all around me. 

Case in point:  A few mornings ago, I gave into the flesh's desire to hit the snooze button right through my regular quite time leaving me with just enough time to fly through the house to get ready in time to make it to work.  One of those, "I've got this figured out and can do today on my own, God" sort of attitudes.  WHAT?!? Surely, I'm not the only one that has done this???

I have about a 35-40 minute commute to work each morning.  Because I have to be at my school at 7:00 a.m., I drive most days in the dark. This jouney is along winding country roads with a max speed of 55mph. On this particular morning, I found myself cutting it close time-wise and behind a driver with a max speed of 40mph and no chance of passing on the two-lane, curvy path.  After several miles behind him at this speed I was "blessing his heart" repeatedly. (ok, I may have let road rage enter in a little)

           

A bit farther, I witnessed him dodge a skunk in the road. Since Feburary is the start of the Skunk's mating season, one really has to be on guard for these little fellas as they are EVERYWHERE!!! Of course he/she shared some eau de skunk which is NOT my most favorite fragrance.  Immediately, I found myself angry with the man, the skunk, the creators of the curvy road, -- you get the picture. 

A mile or so down the road, the song Change My Heart oh, God came on. I actually laughed out loud as the words of the song penetrated my heart.  I swear the Lord has a great sense of humor at times!!! 

It's easy to stop and smell the flowers and enjoy pleasant things. We can all find the blessings in the good times, when everything is coming up roses.  The true test comes when we are forced to stop and smell the less than pleasant aromas, like the skunk, and the circumstances of life that may challenge our faith a little bit more. So, I don't know about you, but I think I'll try to stop seek out more of the blessings in the challenges -- and won't be snoozing through my quiet time again any time soon either!