OK, hot flashes as a subject is not a particular favorite, likely because it brings to my mind's eye feelings of getting older. Ugh! Yesterday, an especially prolonged hot flash coupled with a scorching hot day caused me to revisit a certain life lesson just at the right time, in the right place while being reinforced by scripture in my life.
The four of us had enjoyed a casual Friday night dinner at a downtown restaurant while watching a storm approach and settle just West of where we were. The vivid lightening striking very close by provoked gasps and wow's from our table next to the window. My son was surprised by and commented with each passerby how seemingly unfazed they appeared to be by the storm. Just one lady seemed to be seeing the lightening and he said she "looked like she was about the pee her pants!"
Just before leaving the restaurant the extra hot flash began which begs the question: Are hot flashes hotter when it's 95 degrees outside during a lightning storm? I say yes! During the short drive home my daughter played a hand held electronic game complete with "raise your blood pressure" sound effects. In my case, sound effects compounding the annoyance factor of my hot flash! The thing about this game is that it will not turn off without a sharp object being jammed in the broken on/off button. So … she wanted to use my emergency window punch which my Dad gave me to use in case we ever find ourselves in a canal unable to open the doors of our sinking car. Oh my goodness how scary a thought is that? Anyway, I say no to the window shattering tool, she goes into a whining frenzy and I, her mother SNAP, take the annoying game, open the car door and turn the thing off by introducing it to the pavement. Ouch!
Silence then uncontrollable frightened wailing! My daughter then just got mad, yelling to me the significance of the no longer game, its purpose and its reason for existing. Suddenly I felt compelled to kneel down so her and I were eye to eye and simply apologize and tell her I was wrong to intentionally smash the game. We hug, the crying stops and we agree to replace the game in the morning.
The scripture message for the day in the devotional our family currently follows reminded me to "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court" Matt 5:25 By quickly acknowledging my wrong and agreeing on a solution we were able to happily move forward into the evening working together on a felt and yarn teddy bear. Today she chose to replace the game with a baby doll (one without sound effects) to nurture which suits her, me and my hot flashes well.
Best Living and Giving to you!
Candace
