CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

‘Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.’

-- Henry J. Kaiser

Last week, I explained the process of writing this column. Because I

always want to honor God with my words, I first pray for God’s guidance.

Then I try to follow the steps I sense him laying out. This past week was

another busy one, so I started writing a day earlier than normal. I’d

barely begun when I had computer problems. I felt sorry for myself,

thinking this wasn’t fair after trying to plan ahead. I tried for too

long to solve the problem myself, mumbling about wasting time.

I stopped for a moment and seemed to feel God tapping me on the

shoulder. Instead of praying about the situation, I’d charged ahead

trying to solve it on my own. I called my friend Steve, who frequently

rescues me from computer woes. While working on the problem, Steve and I

shared what was going on in each other’s families and how we could pray

for each other. Steve solved the problem easily and I felt blessed by our

conversation. I also realized that if I hadn’t had a problem, I wouldn’t

have had the opportunity to connect with a special friend.

The next day before writing, I had car problems. My first thought was,

“How do I solve this as quickly as possible so I can get back to what

matters?” After calling the auto club, I looked at my long list of things

to do. “I have so many plans today, God, I need you to help me get

everything done,” I said aloud. I sat outside, took a deep breath and

watched the clouds float gracefully above me. Then I laughed and reminded

myself that God is God, and I am not. It was as if he lovingly said,

“Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, I have my own plans for you today, and you’ll be so

much happier if you just let me show you what they are.”

I can be such a slow learner sometimes.

The tow truck driver came in no time and was as kind as a grandfather.

He explained the situation, where to take my car and jump-started it.

“You’ll be fine ma’am, but if you’re worried that it will die, I’ll

follow you.” When we arrived, he said, “This is Mike the mechanic, he’ll

take good care of you.” Mike did just that. I thought I had a serious

problem, but I just needed a new battery.

“What we need to do is adapt and overcome,” he said.

“I’m not sure how that relates to batteries, but that sounds like good

advice for life,” I answered.

“That’s exactly right,” he said with a smile.

When he finished, I said, “You’re obviously good at what you do.”

“I love what I do,” he replied.

Mike’s attitude was refreshing and yet another reminder to me to look

at things with eyes other than my own.

When I focus on God, my eyesight changes and what I might have viewed

as problems often turn out to be beautiful possibilities I just hadn’t

recognized at first.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.