Beating My Head Against the Wall

Last night, I decided to back up the pictures on my iPhone to my laptop to clear out some space on my phone.   I must admit it had been quite a while since I had done this — basically because every time I plug my phone into my laptop something horrifying happens.  The last time I remember syncing my phone, I lost all of my contacts — I have no idea why, but it took me three hours to get them back.

So, I have backup avoidance issues with my iPhone.  Just thinking about it gives me a headache.  I should have had the extra-strength Advil close by last night, but for some reason, I was hopeful that this time would be different.  I was just going to move my pictures from one device to another.  Simple, right?

Ha!  Somewhere the ghost of Steve Jobs is mocking me.  (Theological Side Note:  I don’t really believe in ghosts or haunting, but I guess I have watched too many episodes of Scooby Doo…).

For some reason, only half of my pictures transferred when I synced.   All my lovely pictures from April to July were safely stored on my hard drive, but pictures from Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter were trapped in an iPhone jail.

After many failed attempts, I decided my only recourse was to e-mail myself the pictures one at a time in order to save them to my computer.  Really?  Do you know how long that would take?

I finally closed my laptop in frustration and went to bed.   My husband had been happily snoring beside me for quite some time.  He looked so peaceful while I brooded beside him in  my cyber-infused melancholy.

I sighed deeply and closed my eyes.  As I lay there listening to the melodic snores, I finally stopped striving.  I just rested.  I breathed out a simple prayer from my heart to God:  “Lord, help me with my dumb phone.  I can’t make it work, and it’s driving me crazy.”

Y’all, tonight I got home, sat down with my laptop, clicked one button and boom — all my sweet pictures moving happily from one place to another.  It was a beautiful moment.

Why do I strive?  I try to make things work.  I beat my head against the wall.  I worry.  I fret.  I think situations and people are beyond help.  Then, I finally give up trying, and I pray.  I surrender my impossible to God.

Boom.  God makes everything new.

Why do I doubt?  It happens every time.

But you, dear friends,

carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith

by praying in the Holy Spirit,

staying right at the center of God’s love,

keeping your arms open and outstretched,

ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ.

This is the unending life, the real life!

Jude 1: 20-21, MSG

Q4U:  What impossible situation are you praying about right now?  Do you have a verse that gives encourages you as you wait?  I would love to hear your story…

My one-word focus for the year is “fruitilicious.”  Find out what that means here.

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Joining like-minded sisters today at Tell His Story, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday and Playdates with God.