MY WORST DAY EVER!

It was the end of the school day for the grandkids. I slowly edged my Jeep to the front of the parent pick-up line that wrapped around the parking lot. When the doors to my vehicle finally opened, back packs and lunch bags were tossed on the seats while rambunctious grandkids scrambled to buckle seat belts. On the drive home, I ask everyone about their day. My oldest grandson, age ten, was quick to reply,

 “It was the worst day of my life, NeeNee!” “Do you want to tell me about it?” I asked.   “Well, NeeNee, I was asked to do the school announcements over the P.A. system in the main office and I messed up really bad. Then, I accidentally knocked over a snow globe on the secretary’s desk; it broke open and the liquid stuff spilled on her papers. And that’s not all.”

He went on to explain, in great detail, the playground and classroom incidents that caused problems and ended with, “It wasn’t my fault, NeeNee. The whole day was just awful!”  I groped to find words of comfort, but “I’m sorry, buddy”, were the only words that came to mind.

We tend to over-dramatize our ‘worst day’ moments.

As I pulled the Jeep into the driveway the kids bounded into the house as I shouted, “Play nicely and find something to do until your mommy gets here.” My words were wasted. Within five minutes it was a ‘somebody did something to somebody’ scenario followed by accusations, tears and a total melt-down by my oldest grandson. I sent him to another room for a brief time-out.

When I went to check on him, he was sitting on the top bunk. He said nothing but his glare spoke louder than any words. I stood silent for a few moments before asking, “Why are looking at me with such anger?”

“You ALWAYS side with Olivia (his younger sister),” he said, and then gushed out an outpouring of all the things he has suffered during his ten years of life.

Sometimes we need to put on our listening ears.

How many times have you removed your listening ears when a friend, family member or Almighty God is trying to help you work through those ‘worst day ever’ moments? I readily admit to shoving wax in my ears, burying my head under the covers and casting eyeball looks that silently scream “leave me alone”. Maybe it is a defense mechanism when we aren’t sure how to deal with situations we don’t understand.

As I walked into the time-out room and I locked eyes with my grandson, I knew it was a WWJD moment (What Would Jesus Do) moment.  He had tears streaming down his face and there was anger in his heart; he was in need of comfort.

How do you encourage someone ensnared in a ‘worst day of my life’ moment? I sure wish I had an absolute answer. I spoke only the following words to my grandson,

“Buddy, God knows all about our ‘worst days’. His Son, Jesus, was wrongly accused and blamed for many things; but God was always there to help. When you call out to God in prayer, He is more than willing to turn your anger and “worst days’ into joy.”

Shortly after our conversation my grandson emerged from his time-out session smiling and ready to play. I never questioned him about the obvious change of heart; I can only assume he decided to let God manage his “worst day ever”.

“I will turn your mourning into dancing and surround you with joy.”  Psalm 30:11