Peaking in the Window

Honesty is the best policy - that's what they say.

When our board members and their wives arrived at our house last night, everything was ready. The table was beautifully decorated and set; the air was fragrant with the promise of good food; soft music played in the background; I looked like I had been meditating on the veranda; candles flickered invitingly.

But let's rewind just one short hour.

• I had worked through lunch in order to leave the office early.
  
• Dashed by the grocery store to pick up the last few items needed.
  
• Sat in the parking lot taking a phone call and trying desperately to finish the list of said items.
  
• Got home and realized I didn't have all twelve bowls/salad plates I needed. (My dishes have been retrieved from some of the most unusual locations. Smile.)
• Began sauteing the onions and celery I needed to add to my main dish. (Main dish was mostly prepared on Sunday night.)
  
• Focusing (with Kristin's help) on options for seating twelve in my dining area which is designed for six - maybe eight.
• Grabbed the season salt from the cabinet and gave a quick shake to finish off the sauteing process - disaster struck! The lid came off and one third of the season salt shaker plopped into the pan! Sigh. (Really, that was more of a double sigh moment.)

I wanted to cry but the emergency demanded calm. I salvaged what I could and added it to the main dish knowing that it wouldn't really be enough to give the flavoring necessary. And when the tears did come a few minutes later I had to ask the harsh question, "Why am I crying?!"

I dearly love all the people who were coming to my house. Kristin, Frank and Amanda had arrived and were helping get everything together. I wasn't making some extravagant french dish - it was home made vegetable beef soup and salad for pity's sake! (Yeah, I know you're shaking your head in disbelief right now. I'm embarrassed to admit that was dinner but this is about honesty. Smile.)

The truth came to me like a flood. I hate not being Superwoman!

I want people to think that I can handle a full-time office position; direct the ministries assigned to my care with excellence; attend to the emotional needs of those around me; address decisions that must be made with wisdom; prepare teachings that sound just like Beth Moore; throw dinner parties for twelve and never break a sweat!

But I can't. I need help just like everyone else around me.

Hmmmmm. Today I think I'll stay close to the best help: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my refuge, my deliverer." And I probably need to be delivered most from my own expectations!

There's the peak inside my kitchen window. Hope your day is peace-filled.