Laughter, concern, prayer, confusion, a yell of frustration … these have all been part of my week.

I went to our local drugstore to purchase some items. I knew I’d pulled out coupons for that store but couldn’t find them where I usually put them. After paying my bill, I walked out to the car to find the coupons in the back seat. Since several were about to expire, I walked back into the store, got a refund for all the items and then PAID MORE … because on the first receipt the clerk missed one item! I had to laugh. I went back to save money and ended up spending more. I wouldn’t have looked at the receipt closely enough to recognize I wasn’t charged for something. But God knew … and took me back in to pay for EVERY item I purchased!

Wednesday Don and Paige drove me to get my first Covid vaccination. Standing in line I felt a bit like I was in a cattle call. But the site was actually well organized and I was in and out in an hour. The only reaction I felt was some itching at the location of the shot the next day. Well done.

Back to the drugstore … I had two online accounts and called their corporate office (with lots of waiting before I got to the right person) to combine the accounts and delete one. Done. However, the next day when I looked online to order a pharmacy refill, my prescriptions were not in my account! Between yesterday and today I probably spent 2-3 hours on the phone, trying to get some web support.

I had already tried three numbers I’d been given, and spent hours on the phone waiting. So after this rep said she couldn’t help me and I had to call my insurance provider to fix the drugstore website’s problem, I grumpily said ‘thank you,’ hung up and yelled. After I calmed down I called the local store again, and the manager told me they can fix my account there the next time I’m in the shop. Whew!

How do we respond when these irritants touch our lives, sometimes seemingly all at once? Yes, I yelled today. I’m not proud of that. And my dear hubby listened to me vent. I prayed for grace not to take my frustration out on those trying to help.

My computer’s sound was very low. It was hard to hear a youtube or presentation. A tech guy suggested I order small speakers to go on either side of my computer. I thought it was a setting issue. I got online with Microsoft’s virtual agent, who said my audio drivers were probably not working. She reinstalled them and wallah, I can hear well again! No speakers necessary!

Don, Paige and I also took a welcome walk in the afternoon. That’s a stress reliever and a good time to be together.

We learned this week that my nephew has Covid. Three of his four children and his mother (my sister-in-law, visiting the kids with my brother) have all tested positive for Covid. So they are with family they love while needing to stay in their rooms, separated. A niece of Don’s and her husband have Covid. Kim is in the hospital, with the next 16-24 hours being critical in regards to his response to treatment. We’re praying for each of them.

I have told you these things (i.e. that I am leaving), so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33, parenthesis mine

I’m so glad there’s a God who is still sovereign; who still loves us; who tells us to “cast all your cares on him, because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). And who isn’t finished with his work in me!

… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6