A text message from my mother's cell phone number popped up on my Blackberry screen. It read, "Hey I tried calling you. I love you Alesha. Mommy loves you so much..."
Huh?
Why was mom calling me Alesha?
Right away, my brain kicked into overdrive, trying to extract reasons why this mix-up might have occurred. "Oh, she's a little fatigued and tired from her chemotherapy treatment," I posited. You see, I learned all about "chemo brain" from the reading material mom brought home from the hospital--I have been devouring as much information as I can from reliable sources! According to the experts, some patients become a little foggy and have trouble remembering, as well as focusing.
So, chemo brain is one, among many, of the side effects and symptoms I've managed to memorize. Well, as I sat staring at my screen, I was thinking, "Should I gloss over the fact that she called me the wrong name, or should I tell her?" I finally decided to just pick up the phone and call mom.
And here's how the conversation went.
"Hey mom!"
"Hi Dianna," she said in a chipper voice. And then, without warning, burst into laughter.
"Hello? Mom?" I couldn't make out a word she was saying because she was laughing so hard. After several seconds, she collected herself enough to explain.
"Oh, Dianna. I tried to send out a text message to Alesha and I must have pushed the wrong button because it went out to Shavette, Andre, Joe, you..." Mom began rattling off a long string of names; each one had received the exact same message intended only for Alesha.
The problem was not chemo brain; it was not-so-good-with-technology-brain. Mom is pretty much inept when it comes to using a cell phone. She just recently learned how to send text messages; as you can see, she is still working through the process.
Po' thang.
When I finally admitted to my sweet mother that I thought she was suffering from a little bit of mental ambiguity, we both laughed--hard. I told her she would definitely be the subject of my blog today! As the conversation went on, I discovered that mom is actually having a really good day today.
Hallelujah!
I was so happy to hear that.
When I hung up the phone, I chuckled quietly. I had just experienced a real teachable moment.
I realized how easy it can be to over analyze things when we're feeling overly anxious.We can quickly begin to read too much into the symptoms and manifestations in our lives. Just like that, we send ourselves on a mental trip.
Have you ever done that?
You feel an ache, pain, or lump, and assume the worst; someone gets cut from the job and you think you're next; bad news about the business economy hits and you worry about your entrepreneurial endeavors; someone around you fails at something similar to what you're trying to do, so you begin thinking you will fail also.
If any of those patterns of thinking sound familiar, I want you to take my teachable moment and make it your own today. Instead of preparing yourself for circumstances ruled by trouble, hardship, and valleys, expect a good day.
In fact, expect a great day, today, and everyday. You know why? Not because everyday will be easy, but because, 1 John 4:4 reminds us that, the "greater one," (who is the greatest one of all) lives inside of you and me.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for shifting my focus from my circumstance, to Your goodness. And thank You so much for showing me that, even in the midst of imperfect situations, You have the power to sustain me with supernatural peace and joy. Please help me to expect good things, because every good and perfect gift comes from You, the one who lives inside me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
TODAY'S SONG: Expect the Great by Jonathan Nelson
