Whishy-Washy Whoopsy

Thursday morning in Ohio.  The Trucker and his Passenger are both in "get 'er done" mode.

But first, a wash for the truck, which is carrying a week's worth of road salt, grit and grime from snow in the west and northwest.  Snow has dropped off, though temperatures up til now have not been conducive to a wash, unless the Trucker wanted to proceed inside an ice block. The weather forecast at home, complete with rain and melting snow, does not give much of an option for a wash there.

The wash bay lines were long, but the Trucker decided a wait to be worthwhile.  He remained in the driver's seat, periodically moving the truck forward in line.

The Passenger used her "sitting still time" to organize and pack up the bunk in anticipation of returning home.  That completed, she settled back in her seat, laptop and notebook open, and began fine-tuning the coming week's school menu, and preparing an email to the cooks.

Reaching the head of the line and pulling into the wash bay, the Trucker turned his key and hopped out to pass time in the waiting area.  His Passenger opted to remain, continuing to type in the dimmer lighting.

High pressure hoses were turned on and employed along the trailer, and up the right side of the cab.  Apparently the Passenger's window was not tight, as a spritz of soapy water squirted around the edges and dotted her laptop.  Yikes!

She speedily set the laptop on the Trucker's seat, and reached for paper towels.  Almost simultaneously, the high pressure hoses hit the left side of the cab.  The Trucker had forgotten to check his window, which was actually open about a quarter inch.  A wave of soapy water shot through the window, drenching the open laptop, the notebook, the dashboard, the Trucker's headset, AND his cell phone, which he had so thoughtfully left for his Passenger to use as a hotspot for WiFi access in his absence.

The Passenger hit high gear, scrambling to close the window and mop up the mess.  Carefully and quickly, with a prayer that all electronics would survive their impromptu bath.  Sigh.  She could have chosen to do this another time, that would have saved the laptop, notebook, and phone.  Yet, the Trucker could have remembered to close his window, that would have saved the seat, dash, and headset; the Passenger could have remembered to check both.  Then again, the truck could have waited for its bath, and we'd all have been done and home that much sooner!

The Passenger, as she wiped bubbly liquid from small places not equipped to handle it, thought about all the small choices that led to this minor catastrophe.  And the events beyond human control, like the snow, which gave rise to the road salt and muck in the first place.

Whether to avoid responsibility or search out a scapegoat, one can always find someone or something on which to lay the blame for inconvenient happenings.  Following that thought down its road, the Passenger could eventually find herself blaming the Almighty for allowing her electronics to be compromised by water!

In reality, God has given us all free will to make our own choices, for good or for ill.  Our lives are comprised of a multitude of small choices, one leading to the next, that affect our own lives and the lives of those around us, continually.  The challenge is to recognize where our actions will lead, and take responsibility for their consequences.  Whether it be remembering to close a window, choosing a project at a given time, stopping a thought before it is shaped and released into words by the tongue.

With His help, our lives can honor Him, and benefit those around us.  Or not.

Twenty miles down the road....snowflakes filled the air, and scudded in waves across the road.  Ah well, it was good while it lasted!