Dumpster

I've been called a lot of things but "dumpster", no. I've been to known to go through a dumpster however. The story goes like this. I bought Jayden, 4 years old, a pair of gold hoop earrings. They were in a small jewelry bag. When I went to give them to her that afternoon, I could not find them. I searched everywhere. Then I remembered they must still be in the shopping bag. The shopping bag was in the trash. Kevin had dutifully taken the trash across the street to the "dumpster". We were on our way out for the day so we stopped by the dumpster with Jayden in the van. We found the bag. The earrings were safely enclosed in a jewelry ziploc bag. Jayden loved them and we put them in her bag to go home. Jayden told her mom upon arrival that Nana got her earrings from the dumpster. Nothing would penetrate that I had in fact bought them and they were put in the dumpster by accident. I have never seen her wear the earrings yet. It's been several months.

My story isn't about the dumpster however. It's about being a "dumpster" in a positive way. I have a friend who called me at church yesterday. She said she wanted to come to my house. I asked her if everything was ok....any emergencies? She said she just didn't want to be alone. So she gave the kids a bath, packed their lunches and clothes, and came to spend the night. When I arrived home. The house was quiet, and the kids were watching a movie. My friend was on the sofa reading her text messages. She and I quickly made our way to the front porch to talk while the kids were occupied. We ended up in her car because it was too cold.

Ladies, she just needed to "dump". She didn't need pity or advice. She was fed up with her life challenges - lonliness, financial stress, being a single parent, her weight, and other circumstances. She is a good mother and now I even commend her more for last night. You see she would never hurt her children. She is quite patient. She just knew she needed help and to get away from her normalcy. She didn't want her kids to see her sad, angry, or depressed. She didn't want to say the wrong things and quite honestly she wasn't in the mood for her kids. So she sought refuge. Wow! Smart girl.

We talked and shared. She was brutally honest and so was I. We commiserated and we challenged each other. I couldn't help but give advice. She doesn't call me "nag" for nothing. We talked in the flesh and came around to the spiritual. It was truly rewarding for both of us. After about an hour or so we returned to the house. Kevin had put the kids to bed. They were asleep. They looked peaceful. My friend grabbed a book and settled into her bed. It was perfect. I was available and she was content.

I look at this situation in two ways. I learned that when I need to get away from my normalcy and my family life is overwhelming, I need to go to a safe place and seek someone's ear. A safe place to "dump". No judgments. Just simple, truthful advice or tender heart. I don't need to go to the latest self help book, bar, or McDonalds (Lol!). This friend of mine got it right. Not that I am any body special but I am safe, which brings me to my second lesson.

Ladies, I need to be a "dumpster". I need to let my friends and family know that I am not a judge. I will listen and advise if wanted. I need to be available and guess what? not be "selfish".
Yesterday I was "stumbling" on my computer. I came across a personality test. There were several questions/situations that had me rate if I was "self-centered" or "selfish". On occasion I did rate high for self-centered. It was a blow. So I have to be more aware of my motives in doing things or not doing things. So case in point...last night. I was sitting in church. I had gone to choir practice. I was looking forward to a warm bath and curling up with my "praying wife book". I had it all planned out. When my friend called I just wanted to say "honey this is not a good time", but the fact was when would it be a good time. I don't want to deal with small kids when I want a bath and a book. This was not planned. I plan when the kids come over and I give them my full attention. I didn't want to share myself last night. Afterall I have a husband to pray for. I was so spiritual in my mind. Ladies. I had to make a quick decision and I chose to not be self-centered. Bravo right? Not really. It wasn't a "Yahoo" moment until our night ended and I was able to spend precious time with her. She went to bed settled and my heart was warm. It's ok being the "Dumpster" sometimes.

As for being called "Nag". My friends son couldn't say Nana when he was a baby so he called me "Nag". The name stuck. My husband loved it. My friend never stopped using it.

"Friendship is a comforting smile, A familiar voice that warms the heart, and the freedom to be the person God intended." (Author Unknown)

Answer to question #2 Plans of the Diligent

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

Salvation of specific loved ones.