You know the one. The one that broke the camel’s back. If
you’re unfamiliar with the proverb “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” it
simply refers to a situation where challenging things are happening, your
stress levels are rising, and the last thing that pushes you over the top is
the “straw.” The straw doesn’t have to
be the most stressful thing; it can actually be the least stressful. It’s
simply that last thing. Just like that camel carrying a heavy weight of straw
until finally, it’s just too much. And over the edge you go!
That happened to me last night. Fortunately, I caught the
edge and, while not gingerly (unless you’re
referring to the redhead in me), at least little by little and with great
effort, I pulled myself (with some help) back
up over the edge and into the world of sanity once more.
Have you ever felt like that? Like if just one more thing
happens…..and then it does.
For me, the proverbial straw started with a warning. There
was a raging thunderstorm outside, lots of lightning, flash-flooding rains. In
the midst of it, I heard a crash. It was so loud it even startled my
nearly-deaf dog, Maxie. I saw her head turn toward the spare room. At first I
suspected a tree limb, then realized there were no trees on the front side of
the house. In mere seconds it dawned on me that the sound had come from inside
the house. I opened the door to the spare room and there it was….the straw. It
was disguised as pieces of wet ceiling and rain water gracing the floor, the
dresser, the book case with their unwanted presence.
And, deep inside, the stress inside me began to multiply.
And over the edge I went.
Now, you have to know that this, in and of itself, would,
more than likely, not have pushed me over. But, you know how it is, stress builds
upon stress which builds upon stress until finally…..
As I struggled with a solution, not just to that but all the
other stress factors, I experienced yet another sleepless night which
culminated in a headache and possibly even a few tears. Then I woke to the
realization that, oh yes, this was the day that began with a much-needed (and often postponed) dentist
appointment. Oh the joy. (Can ya feel
it?)
Now you need to know, I like my dentist. In fact, I’ve been
going to the same dental office all my life (that’s
not an exaggeration; I literally mean “all my life”). It’s just that I’m
not so fond of what happens when I get there. Fortunately today, after all was
said and done, even x-rays, I walked away with a clean bill of health and a
gentle urging to floss more.
But that’s not all that happened. Somehow, when I made the
appointment several months ago, there must have been some Divine intervention
on picking just this day, the day after the edge. And there were a number of
factors involved. Here’s what happened:
- The night the straw broke my back, it was late. There was literally no one to vent to, commiserate with or otherwise share the joyous news. So, of course, I began by asking God, “Can’t you just do a miracle and fix that mess in there?” Obviously, while He is in the miracle-making business, this wasn’t something He chose to spend his time on. (After a few minutes, I got over that.) However, He did lead me to a passage of Scripture as I lay there and opened the Bible app on my phone. Romans 8:18. That verse was made for times like this! (Read it here.)
- The next morning, I texted a couple of friends, just asking for prayer. Their responses confirmed that there are good faith-filled people in this world that will pray for you at the drop of a hat, without even knowing your struggle, if you just ask.
- At the dentist, I was informed it was time to, once again, fill out a medical history document. As I handed it back in, the receptionist looked up, “That was quick!” I glanced down to see I’d checked ‘no’ after all but one medical condition. And then it hit me, pushing me right back up over the edge from which I’d fallen. And it left me wondering how I could, in the midst of some challenging circumstances, have missed one of God’s greatest blessings. He’s given me, at least for now, pretty good health, a real blessing when I have so much, and so many, to care for.
Then, as I drove away to the office, I began to thank Him
for the blessings, not just for my health, but for the means to make a living
and the family and friends it takes to make a life. Wow! Somehow the challenges
I was facing paled in comparison. (Hey, I
have a couple more grandkids on the way!) And somehow, making the call to
the insurance company and getting the ball rolling on that front, took some of
the stress off, knowing a fix was coming.
The sentiments of my ‘prayer partners’ reminded me of the
power in asking and receiving what we ask for. One response was “I always pray
for you.” The other “You are always in my thoughts and, now, in my prayers as
well.” Then there was the suggestion to, being the music lover that I am, sing
my favorite hymn. I tuned my car radio to KLOVE; that’s where my most favorite
music resides. Wouldn’t you know it, the song playing was “Flawless” by
MercyMe: “No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises, no matter the scars,
still the truth is the cross has made you flawless.” Not long after that was “You’re
an Overcomer” by Mandisa encouraging me to “stay in the fight til the final
round.” (If you haven’t heard it, check it out.
The words will pump you up!) I found myself singing along. I didn’t even
mind the looks I was getting on the highway. Some days you just can’t worry
about what other people think.
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| courtesy of photos-for-you.com |
Then I thought about that straw. I knew when I walked into
the house, pieces of ceiling would be hanging down threatening to fall. I knew
I’d have to dump out the water I’d caught in the big green container I hastily
threw on top of of the dresser last night. And I knew that, no matter what,
even when I’m pushed over the edge, I don’t have to stay there. I can come back
to this side of sanity, even when dealing with the stress that threatens it. Best
of all, I knew that someone, like you, would be reading this, and maybe be
encouraged by it, as you’re facing your proverbial straw today.
And, that, my friends, makes everything worth it.
Keep on keeping on,
Jean
