The Crockpot

Most days I feel totally out of control and disorganized.  Today was different.  At least at first.

For one thing, Mike and I had a big date tonight.  We planned to eat a crock pot dinner, and then, spend our date money on a movie.  We have not been to the movie theater in years.

I was pumped.

I woke up early, exercised,  and had the dishwasher emptied and breakfast loaded by 9:00 a.m.  The kids and some of their playmates happily built towers in the other room while I hurried to finish as many infinite projects as possible – including filling the crock pot with our dinner.

By the afternoon, I had prepared for the big date – pressing my nice clothes, putting on fresh make-up, nail polish (a rarity), and preparing the diaper bag for the kids night out with some very special friends.

But as I waited for my husband to arrive home, I noticed that our house did not smell like spaghetti.   I calmly approached the crockpot.  And cringed.  An electric surge had shut off the crock pot hours ago.

We did not have enough cash  to buy dinner AND a movie.  Suddenly, my super-momma pride was smashed.  The only thing I had to accomplish today, I had not.  No dinner.  That means no movie.  Ugh.

So, we tried to switch plans.  We would go to out to dinner.  Not as exciting but still good.

One problem.  I had just found out that I am lactose and fructose intolerant.  I hardly know what to fix at home.  We didn’t know where to go  dine – at the store, I can read ingredients but not at a restaurant.  And 5:00 on a Friday night is not the prime time to ask  a zillion questions.

So we spent an hour at walmart reading the back of frozen foods.  Chinese food is apparently the only choice.  By then, I was mad.   We had made these perfect plans and then spent the majority of our date figuring out what “fast” dinner I was able to eat.  So now, we had a crappy frozen dinner.

Then, we spent the next half hour searching for an available Redbox movie.   I was still mad and frustrated..

But God knew what we needed despite our well made plans because it was the best date we had in a long time. Once we arrived home, my sweet husband made sure I de-stressed.   He cooked our frozen dinners and gave me a shoulder massage. And we had the entire house to ourselves.  We turned up the T.V. really loud and snuggled on the couch.   I think we might just opt for this stress free version next time – even if we can afford a movie in the theater.

Next time, though, I will try to actually cook dinner.

  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…….

                                                                                                                                                                                               James 1:17