It’s not always the red-flag crisis days that are hardest to take. It’s the “oatmeal days”. The ordinary, “zero” days of little or no consequence. […] The days that everyone deals with.

We cope. We wend our way the tangle of tedious activity and sandpaper people scattered through our day and get no applause, because coping is expected.

[…]

The God of the Crisis is the God of the oatmeal days, too. Because He said He is. Because He keeps His promises – always. Because we can’t get along without Him. And because we wouldn’t want to if we could.

-Source Unknown

It was an oatmeal morning. Sleep was elusive last night, between a sick, feverish baby and the epic stray cat battle that was taking place outside the window.

I woke up this morning to find that my toddler had removed her diaper during the night, and she and her bed were soaked. As I groggily tried to clean her up, my sick baby – who stank to high heaven – screamed at the top of her lungs to be changed and fed.

I fed the baby before I changed her in an effort to calm her down. As I was feeding her, I could feel a wetness seeping through my clothing where she was sitting on my lap. Next time, I’ll change her first.

We weren’t having a crisis – in fact, it wasn’t an unusual day at all, as most mothers can attest – but it was still definitely an oatmeal morning. It was perfect.

“Perfect for WHAT?” you ask.

It was the perfect day to enjoy one of the very best gifts that God has given me: the ability to laugh. It’s a gift that I especially like to pull out on days like this. So here are a few little tidbits that always make me smile:

I’m not fat! God gave me airbags cause I’m precious. (Source Unknown)

 Come to Me, all you who are weary and weighed down with heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in spirit. Indeed, you will surely find rest in Me! My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Cheer Up! The worst is yet to come!”(Barbara Johnson)

Appreciate me now and avoid the rush. (Ashleigh Brilliant, Pot Shot #0184)

 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

If you can’t make it better, you can laugh at it. (Erma Bombeck)

One day I shall burst my buds of calm and blossom into hysteria. (Barbara Johnson)

FEELING DOWN? Just remember that behind every dark and stormy cloud … is a ruined hairstyle and worms on the sidewalk. (Shoebox Greetings)

Help me to remember, Lord, that nothing will happen today that you and I can’t handle together. (Source Unknown)

I don’t need you to remind me of my age. I have a bladder to do that for me. (Stephen Fry)

Encouraging thought for the week: Eat a live toad first thing in the morning and nothing worse can happen to you for the rest of the day! (Source Unknown)

EXPERIENCE is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. (Source Unknown)

Every person’s life is a fairy tale written by God’s fingers. (Hans Christian Andersen)

I’ve decided that I’ll never get down to my original weight and I’m ok with that. After all, 7 lbs 6 oz is just not realistic. (Maxine)

RELAX! If we weren’t meant to keep starting over … would God have granted us Monday? (Bumper Sticker)

It’s good to know that, if I behave strangely enough, society will take responsibility for me. (Ashleigh Brilliant, Pot Shot #0951)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)