I need a brake

My mom always told me (not to sound too Forrest Gump) that you have to find the blessings in each day or the day will wear you down.

Yesterday was that day. It's funny when you mention that you're struggling how God's sense of humor comes out.

It's 4 o'clock and I'm leaving work. I have a pork roast in the crock pot waiting for pulled pork sammies for dinner. I did most of my cleaning yesterday morning, so I may actually get a chance to chill out and play with Zoe longer than normal. It's looking like a great evening.

I get in my car, turn it on, call N to see how he's doing and go to back out of my spot. My car won't move. I check to make sure I've lowered the emergency brake. Yep. Hmmm...

It's been windy and there is stuff all over the roads, so maybe something is under my car. Nope.

My emergency brake is locked. My right, back tire won't move. Well, how does that happen? How do you fix that?

You call your husband, crying just a little at the thought of mechanic and towing bills and he offers to skip school and come look at it. (Blessing #1)

He brings a friend who is very car-smart to help. (Blessing #2)

They take off the drum and the pads totally crumble (I know, you're totally impressed with my knowledge of all things brake-related). If I had driven much further with the pads the way they were, my cylinder could've been totally ruined. That would cost almost as much as my car is worth to fix it. (Blessing #3)

N and his friend John go to the parts store, buy the needed stuff and fix the brake. In my work parking lot. In the dark, wet and cold. (Blessings #4, #5, #6, well there are too many to count)

I go home prior to the brake fixing to pick up Zoe and head home. Grandma has already fed her. I'm hoping that the pulled pork might still be okay after an extra 2 hours on low. From the smell in the garage I immediately know that's a negative.

Because I put the crock pot on high. I essentially made pork jerky yesterday in a crock pot. Tasty!

In the grand scheme of things, burnt, pork jerky isn't too bad. The crock pot will take a week of soaking before I can get it clean. It's a reminder of my day.

Zoe got to spend some time with daddy last night (Blessing #612). N got an extra two hours of sleep to help with his tough, new schedule (Blessing #762). I have new brakes, a husband who selflessly helps me when I need him, a daughter who loves having both her parents home in the evenings to play with, friends who will drop everything if we need help and a mom who helps with Zoe without complaint.

That's just the blessings I can see. There is a certain peace in knowing that your family and your friends are part of a team that God has surrounded you with. They encourage, support and love on you just because they can.

Sometimes it takes being stuck in one place because of a locked brake to see all those blessings that surround you everyday.