Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Things I Hate

1. Cleaning bathrooms: I don't mind sweeping or mopping, I don't particularly like dusting but it's ok, and I'm not fond of vacuuming but nothing is worse than cleaning bathrooms! I read a comment on someone's post this morning that I thought was a wonderful idea...she wipes the bathroom down every day with a Windex wipe and only has to deep clean every couple of weeks. I even shared that tip with my husband, who has his own bathroom! He thought it was a great idea too, but he didn't plan to do it. For some reason my bathroom stays much cleaner than his....it's a girl thing I guess. But then I remembered, not everyone has a bathroom. Lots of people in this world still have to go, in fair weather or foul, outside to the little house outside the big house, or in some cases to the bushes. So I'm thankful I have a bathroom to clean. Two of them, in fact.

2. Long lines at WalMart: Sometimes when I'm ready to check out at WalMart I just stand in amazement because the lines are so long. My basket is full and my ice cream is melting and I can see steam rising from some folks heads. The anger at the wait is almost palpable. It can be particularly frustrating when you see empoyees with walkie-talkies standing around watching. It makes you wonder what they're watching for - to see just how long the lines can get, to see if someone totally loses their cool and goes crazy, or to see if someone gives up and walks out with their cart full without paying? And then I remember that lots of people don't have grocery stores at all. Lots of people don't have food at all. I can walk in that store and buy whatever I want and feed my family both healthy stuff and decadent stuff.

3. Waiting for an hour at the doctor's office when you have an appointment you made months ago: I know doctor's have emergencies and I know sometimes one patient might require a longer time than they anticipated, but when time after time after time you go and have to wait that long something is wrong with their office management. I go to one doctor where I have never in all these years waited longer than 15 minutes. Why can't they all be like that? I know he spent a lot of money going to school but I'm just as important as he is. After all, he couldn't work if no one showed up! And then again, there are lots of places where doctors are nonexistent. People go for miles and miles and miles just to find one doctor. Sometimes they die before they can get there.

4. People who are always late: late for church, late for work, late for meetings, late for social engagements. I think that's disrespectful to others and shows a definite lack of planning on their part. Oh everyone is late sometimes, but not every time. Even when I had three small children we weren't late very often at all. Now if I'd had more than three....well, I'm just sayin' I'd probably cut that mama some slack! But why is it that some people just can't make it on time? Then again, God did make us all different, and He did give us all the right to make choices, and He did say we weren't to judge each other. Sigh.

I hate when I decide I hate something He always shows me why I shouldn't hate it and why I should be grateful instead. :)

24 comments:

Carrie P. said...

I know what you mean. I have really had to ask the Lord to help me being impatient.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Well said and worth remembering!

Cornfield Quilter said...

Maybe the Lord has something to do with us having to wait. A good time to reflect on what is important. :D
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I just love having visitors stopping by for a visit!

Helen said...

I hate it when there is always a good reason NOT to hate!!!

Good points all around! Thanks for sharing this wonderful outlook.

Hugs

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Hi Marlene, reading your blog reminds me of what Mom would always say, "You can find something to be thankful for in everything".
Love the bear quilt below and the cross hatch quilting looks perfect for it. I'm off to read what you been up to.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Sandy said...

Amen, Marlene. I think we all need to look at things that way sometimes!
Clorox and lysol wipes are a good cleanup too!

Canarella said...

I rarely use the work hate it just is so not nice.....and the world is full of too many good things indeed...god bless

Cindy said...

Amen to everything on your list. As for late people, it's a form of control and with a relative of ours, I don't play the game. If he isn't here when it's time for the rest of us to have dinner, we start without him. It's more rude to make 10 other people wait than to start without one.

Alice Grace said...

What an eye-opening post! Very well said. Many things are somewhat aggravating, but we can always find some good in everything. Thanks for a great read!

Joy said...

What an inspiration you are. Your cup is always half full rather than half empty.
Thanks for helping us see how lucky we are :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Love Bears All Things said...

Your husband has his own bathroom? Does he clean it himself?
I don't mind cleaning the bathroom. I usually give it a once over once a week and big cleaning every other week.
I am not a late person. Sometimes, I have to take a book and read in the car because I've arrived for a meeting too early. My Dentist once called to see why I was late. They said they knew something must be wrong because I was never late. I had written down the wrong date. I was very embarrassed. Luckily that time they had called me earlier enough that I wasn't too late when I got there.
Originally, Walmart's motto was "you're always next in line". I remember when checkers would be lined up waiting for us in front of their counters. Not anymore. My husband says all that changed when Sam Walton died.
Mama Bear

Phyllis said...

Well, it really makes me angry to sit in a doctor's office waiting for an hour, but they'll sure slap you with a late charge in a hurry if you have to reschedule at the last minute. My time is very limited and I resent when it's truly wasted waiting for somebody. But like you said, some people can't go to a doctor at all. It doesn't make me feel a whole lot better while I'm waiting though!

Michelle said...

I loved your post,and I just wanted to comment on the late part. Long time ago, when I didn't have any hobbies to distract me, I was always on time, or early. Now, I have too many distractions, and I am getting older, and slower, and just like to stay home! That's my excuse, and I'm stickin' to it!
be blessed,
Michelle

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Not to mention at Walmart, long lines and 27 empty cash registers.
Sure wish you could come the end of March :(

Lea and her Mustangs said...

All of those things are aggrevations for me too but the worst of all is being late. It is kind of a phobia for me in fact. I just can not stand it. I think its rude.

Jody Blue said...

Very to the heart of the matter post, I enjoyed it and to be honest felt those pangs of conviction. Thank you for sharing.

Angie said...

I hate it when people are late for dinner or lunch. When I take time to cook something really special, set the table nicely, I think it is the height of disrespect when they think it's OK to be half an hour late. I'm sorry but I just do. If people are not ontime who usually are then I start to worry.

Jacquie said...

I like how you think, Marlene. I got a little convicted on #4, I am NOT an early-bird. I'm not a morning person, either. Usually, they go hand in hand.

nanny said...

My least favorite task is cleaning my husband's shower....nope don't like it at all....but I am thankful to have him so I don't complain (to him anyway) ha

em's scrapbag said...

My hemotoligist (spelling?) used to have a sign in his waiting room that said. "If you think time heals all wounds try waiting in a Dr. office." Only reason it didn't bug me was I always met the neatest people there.

Di said...

Ah, Marlene, once again you've hit the nail on the head with your insights. Your blog is such a great way to start my day!

Elora said...

Hey Marlene! Maybe this will sound goofy...but I try never to even use the word "hate." When it occasionally slips out in response to some aggravation, the word actually "feels" tight, and pressed in somehow. Whenever I catch myself saying it, I find another way. I sincerely believe the word, itself, has some poisonous properties! And...what's worse? It's contagious!

Elora

pedalpower said...

oh, I'm so totally with you on the wait at the doctor's office! After all, our time is worth something too. Recently, after a long wait, I asked the receptionist, who kept reassuring me that it wouldn't be long...2.5 hours later I saw the doctor! If he was running that far behind, why not tell the patients so they can get something done in the meantime? argggggggggggg!

pedalpower said...

You are right of course...I'm happy to have a doctor to go to...and a home to clean, etc!