Little Inconveniences

   Two weeks ago as the clock approached midnight I was huddled over a computer in the stuffy Kresge Memorial Library at Covenant College, putting the finishing touches on a 34-page research design (the taxing precursor to the summer research internship), when the computer unplugged itself and ate my executive summary. I fled to a nearby desk where a friend of mine, a year ahead of me in the Community Development major, sat studying. He was appropriately pitying, but also pulled me a little bit out of my tizzy as he firmly told me, "You need to pray. Now. I'm serious."

   I've thought about that scenario several times since, like yesterday-- t-minus two days to departure for my internship location-- when I left my purse, complete with driver's license, all my money, my flash drive, and my keys in an unfamiliar and very packed Panera. And today, when my big plans to see all of Washington, D.C. with Anna were obscured, along with my vision, by an ill-timed migraine.

   None of these things turned out to be a major disaster, though they were all inconvenient when they happened. I got my research design in on time and my host and my professor both liked it; a friend of a friend who happened to be at Panera picked up my purse and returned it to me; and my migraine parted earlier than usual and I was able to see parts of D.C. after all.

   I don't think that a little string of inconveniences automatically translates into spiritual attack, although at times it could. But I do think that my friend's solemn reminder two weeks ago is something to take very seriously as I leave tomorrow for my internship. God is Lord over great and small, and I have to be reminded of that daily. Sometimes it takes a loose computer cord, a lost purse, or a headache to remind me that I am not in control. When nothing goes amiss, I get cocky and forget how fragile and dependent I am. To be honest, I was pretty fed up when I realized this morning over my frosted mini wheats that I could only see half of Anna's face and a migraine was coming on just when I least wanted it to, but I am thankful for the little dose of humility and reminder of who I must depend on just in time to send me off to Suffolk.