Unexpected Blessings!

God once again surprised me with a wonderful blessing... and helped out my friends along the way! 

The Plan: Rent a trailer, pack it, then park it in the far back of the apartment complex parking lot until it's time to unload it all. 

What really has happened.... SO FAR!

On Thursday, I called to make reservations for the trailer. The first place I called informed me of the price (a bit higher than I had planned) and that I should look into a "pod" type arrangement. After researching the "pod" route, I called another trailer place to set the reservation. The pod was a higher price. I wanted a Sunday afternoon pickup....not at this place...so I called several others...still no Sunday. I went ahead and made the reservation with a Saturday evening pickup and the next Saturday drop off.... the total cost would be almost $200 depending on the size of trailer they could get me....I'd save $50 if they couldn't supply the larger size I reserved. 

On Friday, I ordered my Daybed to be delivered on Tuesday, May 25! Very excited. After dealing with all the paper work... I was tired but really needed a few things at the store. Should I stop? Or should I just go on home... STOP! So I stopped and went in.. as I entered I met a lady who works in the office of my apartment. We chatted for a few minutes and she asked about the progress on my 'non-move'. She then mentioned that the apartment parking lot is being resurfaced that week..... WHAT??? That means I'll have to move the trailer several times..... or find another place to park it for the week. (This was not what I had planned!)

I finished my shopping and arrived home to quickly email my friend to explain the change in parking plans and figure out plan B. It was decided we'd park it in her driveway... and they'd maneuver around the trailer for a week... not the best... but it would work. Plan C was to see if my church would allow me to park it there..

My friend also asked if I could somehow get a Sunday pickup....since she and her family had some special plans on Saturday. I said I'd try again... but my attempts so far had failed. 

On Sunday..... my friend called to share some news with me. She was thinking about the trailer and then thought of a guy at church. This gentleman has 2 trailers. He is NOT ONLY letting me use the large trailer for the week FREE!!! He is also letting me park it on his barn/garage! A very secure place! And to top it all off... my friends can pick up the trailer after church on Sunday! 

Recap:

The right size trailer.

 A Sunday pickup.

A SECURE parking place.

AND all for FREE!

This is all so cool... but the Sunday pick up and the parking issue are double blessings... they help me... but more so help my friends who are helping me! God made sure He cared for them in all this too!

I love it when God

takes care of the details!

When I look at ALL the details which God considered in His plan.... I'm overwhelmed. Any ONE of the details would have been a blessing. But God took care of EACH detail. Each day God takes care of details...some which I'll never even know about. Others, such as this are so evident... that all I can do is PRAISE God. Creating a positive day each day is all about seeing how God is working in and through me.

 When God is working in your life....

each day has a positive outcome.

Customer Service in Reverse!

The past few weeks, I've been searching for a daybed and mattress. The daybed will provide more support for my back, compared to the old sofa.

I found the Daybed I wanted (pictured above right), but needed to find a mattress with enough support.

As I searched for the right mattress, I went to countless stores, and tried out more mattresses than I can remember. I don't remember much about some of the stores I visited.... however, a few stand out in my mind. One in particular stands out because the salesperson was very rude and did his best to convince me that I didn't know what I wanted. However, if he would have listened to me for just a minute, he would have learned that I had done my homework; I knew not only what I wanted—but needed. But he didn't want to listen. He only wanted a sale....no matter the cost. He didn't get his sale.

As I left that store... I was very frustrated. Even if that store would have been cheaper (and they weren't) I wouldn't have bought the mattress from them, simply because their customer service was.... TERRIBLE! What if I had a problem with my order? I couldn't have trusted that man to fix any problems. He didn't care about me—the customer.

On the other hand, one store stood out because the salesman was very kind, treated me with respect. He listened to what I wanted and answered my questions. There was no pressure to purchase anything before I was ready. The nice thing, is that they not only sold mattresses, but the daybed I wanted! It should be no surprise that this week, when I was ready to place the order for the daybed and I returned to Back to Bed—and Tom, the salesman who was kind. (Shayne who actually took my order was also very kind and respectful.)

This entire experience

got me thinking about
customer service .... in reverse.

When we are consumers we expect a certain level of respect and attention. But what do the salesmen, doctors, clerks, etc., get from me? Just because I'm the customer doesn't give me the right to be rude or disrespectful. 

"The customer is always right." As much as we want to believe that—we aren't. The idea behind that is that companies want to keep our business; therefore, they will do what they can to make us happy. 

If a company or business, or doctor's office had a choice in their customers, would they choose me? How do I treat the clerks? How do I treat the staff? Do I show respect? Am I kind?

I like to be treated with kindness and I'm sure you do to. So, the next time I visit a store, or doctor's office I hope to show some kindness to the staff I encounter.

My goal is to offer good

Customer Service—in Reverse! 

Part of creating a positive day is how I treat those with whom I have contact. Smile it's contagious. That is also true for respect and kindness. If I treat others around me with kindness, kindness will be returned to me. Any day your life is touched by kindness is a positive day!

Old vs New

Last week, I got rid of the old desktop computer. Tonight the sofabed is gone. As I look around at all the things which are now gone... I started remembering how God provided each item. God is very creative in providing my needs, and even some wants. Over the years, He's used a wide variety of things to provide: additional jobs, gifts from friends, and even contests. Now that the items are gone... I hope that I continue to remember Who provided and how He did so. 

During the past few weeks as I've worked on the 'non-move', it's been interesting to watch Max, my parakeet. He knows something is happening, but he's not sure what is going on. Tonight, I had to put him in is cage, since flying around the room would not be helpful as the sofabed was moved. When he could see me, he was upset with being in his cage... but okay... as soon as I left the room, the cries and chirps started. I wondered if he was thinking I'd forget him. 

Now with the sofabed gone, I'm reclining on an old pool lounge chair. Max is very frustrated with this change. His perch is now different and I'm much lower. It's funny to watch his reaction to things. Max doesn't like change. For that matter, I don't care for it much myself. Once I figure out what works... there is no need to change it. However, there are times when a good house cleaning and rearranging is in order.... both in the physical and spiritual.

I often wonder as God works in my life, do I wish for the old back? God has to clean house, in order for me to grow in His image. If I refuse to allow God to get rid of stuff and rearrange things, I won't grow. Or if I try to hold onto or bring back old things, the new items wont fit or will be neglected.  It may take some time to adjust to the new, but it is well worth the effort.

I hope that as I move forward, I'll remember all that God has provided and what He taught me. But I'm looking forward to the new and seeing the new plans God has in store for me. Remembering is good...however, as I remember I want to look forward to all that God has in store for me. 

One aspect about creating a positive day... it that it's a DAY. If I had a "bad day", I can forget it and begin again. I can remember the great things from the previous day... but each day presents a new opportunity to create a positive day. I don't have to use "yesterday's blessing". I can have new! God's mercies are new EVERY morning! Tomorrow as I reflect on God's goodness in the past, I will work on creating new memories of God's amazing love for me—can't get more positive than that!

Waiting

Still waiting for the date of the "non-move". Last night I packed a few more kitchen items. Figured I could use paper plates for a while. If the move is this weekend... can't put off too much until the last minute; there is already too much of that stuff. 

Normally, I'm not a good "waiter". I like to plan and know what to expect. But since my back needs some extra rest right now, this waiting period has actually been a blessing. During this resting and waiting period,  God has made me realize that sometimes, I think clearer if I'd just step back and wait.

I've been able to figure out the layout for the furniture and think through what will work and what wont. Some layouts, I had planned, wouldn't work because the wiring was too short. Glad I realized that BEFORE I had the guys move it all. Don't think they'd appreciate having to move it several times. But if I didn't have this waiting time, I wouldn't have thought through the pro and cons of various placements. I would have rushed in and then realized that things would not work.

This waiting mode, is also having a calming effect. It's been peaceful, just being still. There will be enough hectic things once the remodel date is set. Right now, I need to take advantage of this stillness. 

I hope to remember this lesson the next time God puts me in a "waiting mode". If I just stop and rest and allow God to work, the waiting time will be very peaceful and will allow me to be better prepared for the next lesson God has in store. Too many times, I've been so busy during the waiting period, that when God is ready to move forward, I'm sidetracked on my "business" rather than ready for Him.

Today, as I rest and wait for the move date, I'm enjoying the calmness. Sometimes creating a positive day, isn't about how much I can accomplish, or what I can do, rather it's simply being still and waiting. Today, has been a very positive day.... even though I haven't done much. Days like these are very special and I need to enjoy each one. 

Thank you God for those waiting times which give me strength and energy for the task that lies ahead.

Going full speed—suddenly STOP

The past few weeks, I've been pushing myself to get the apartment ready for the remodel. Not having a specific date made it hard to know how fast things needed to be done. (Still no specific date, but should hear this week.) As I look at all that has been accomplished, I feel great. There are still items that need to be packed, and some to get rid of...but a lot has been completed.

Today, I had a list of things to accomplish.... but nothing has been crossed off the list. When I got up this morning, my headache was the worst it's been in YEARS—it was migraine level. I started the normal headache treatments (Stim Plus, essential oils, massage, medicine, etc.) but the headache was getting worse, not better. Finally, this afternoon, it started to lessen... still not back to my normal level, but better.

Earlier today, I felt too bad to feel frustrated about not getting my "to do list" completed. But as I started to feel better, I looked at what needs to be done, and just as I started to get frustrated, it hit me—nothing on the list has to be accomplished today. It can all be done tomorrow, or the next day.... or even the next. I was the one who created the list.. so I can be the one to determine when the tasks are completed. 

Since I'm not feeling well enough to do anything physical, I started thinking through the new layout designs for the apartment. I realized that some layout ideas won't work, unless I move additional items, like the printer. Some layouts will require additional wiring for the TV antennae and hard drives. If I didn't take the time to be quiet and think, I might not have considered what each of the layouts would require.

I am a person how usually goes full speed ahead! And when I'm forced to stop.. I usually get frustrated and try to figure out how I can keep going. For some reason, I often view "stopping" as a bad thing. Yet, that is not true. Stopping allows me to review the plan of action and make necessary changes. Stopping gives me time to reflect on all that has been done. Stopping can give me a new perspective. Stopping can lead me in a new and very often, better direction. 

God says "be still.... and know that I am God." Can't I know God when I'm going at full speed? Yes, but when I'm moving at full force, I'm going in my direction and I am not paying attention to God's guidance. Be still. God knows when I am still, He can have my full attention. He can teach me things, which I only can see when I'm still. 

Look at it this way. Next time you are driving down the highway at 70 mph... look out the window and try to notice the scenery. Then at the next traffic jam, when you are stopped, look out the window. See anything different? How much did you miss as you flew past? 

God knows that for us to hear Him and see what He has planned, we need to be still. Only when we STOP, are we open to changing directions, new ideas, or realizing what God is accomplishing. 

Perhaps you can't imagine how today could be a positive day.. there isn't much positive about having a headache. But it's not the headache I'm focusing on... rather, I'm focusing on being still and listening to God. And any day...I stop and listen to God...is a VERY positive day.