How many times have you started the day with all the good expectations of a perfect day? I'm somewhat of an optimist so I try and look for the good in all situations. If we are breathing, life is good! But this one day, on my birthday, things had a twist.
I had researched a new place to explore by the water and woods that was pet friendly, along with a dog park. Also, there was a local eatery nearby with good ratings of seafood, which I like and it was pet friendly. Spending some time with hubby and my pooch meandering through the woods and walking paths sounded like a perfect, relaxing day.
In my mind, I had envisioned a picture-perfect setting for all of these experiences. Instead, I encountered a dog park that was AstroTurf with strange urine smells. Also, a not so friendly, unruly 10 month old boxer whose owner didn't care much that he kept jumping all over me and ended up scratching my arms to the point of bleeding. Then the walk in the woods was ended shortly after we encountered swarms of mosquitos.
But the icing on the cake was the eatery, whose name will remain anonymous. It was advertised to have indoor/outdoor seating by the lake with fresh catch-of-the-day fish and accommodated pets. However, when we arrived in the parking lot there was a huge sign that said "No Dogs Allowed." (I guess the policy had changed.) The indoor seating was a Tikki hut, showcasing a bar room in a real grass hut! It should have been named Gilligan's Island. Needless to say we deferred to a picnic table by the lake and ordered some Key Lime pie. Why not have dessert first? LOL
The evening was still young so I persevered on Google one more time and found a British Fish 'n' Chips restaurant. The outside didn't look so great, but at this point we figured what have we got to lose? However, we were pleasantly surprised as the place had been newly renovated and the food smelled delightful. The fish 'n' chips proved a success along with another round of dessert - apple cobbler and fried pineapple! For the dog lovers in the crowd? It was a cool evening so our dog was happy to watch us from the car and we partially rolled the windows down for ventilation.
My kudos to you today is: Life is good, but not perfect. In our world today we place way too much importance on the issues of perfection that we can miss the joy in the journey. When life throws you curve balls, learn to laugh and keep going. Perfectionists usually take themselves way too seriously. After all is said and done, the only thing that is perfect in this world is God's love for us when He sent His son to come to earth in the form of a tiny baby - the miracle of life through the Virgin Mary. That's what Christmas is all about, celebrating God's perfect love! His love can give us the "joy" for the journey so no matter what life throws at us we can say, "Life is never prefect, but with God's love, it's good!
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1John 4:9
Another great post!