A Word to the Wise: Lotion Your Legs When Leaving the House

Most Saturdays are a lazy day at the Wagner house. I will try to sleep as long as baby girl will let me and I try to avoid laundry and housework so I can enjoy my husband’s day off. This particular Saturday, I had decided to meet a friend for tennis. I sprung out of bed at 6:45 and fed baby girl laid her back down and headed out the door proud of myself that I was up early and going to get a workout. After about 3 hours of tennis and chatting I stopped by my mom’s to see my nephews and began my way back home, patting myself on the back that it was 11am and I had already felt so accomplished. My husband needed to run some errands so he took the middle girls and my son and I hung out while baby napped. My husband returned home and I realized that I needed to run to the store for our Father’s Day menu. My son, baby girl, and I hopped in the car with a quick trip to a main retail store then to a grocery store. We ran into the retail store and grabbed what we needed and headed to the supercent. I made a mental note of the pricing of a gift I had wanted to get for my Father. We ran into the supercenter and quickly loaded our cart, I checked the price of the same item and saw that it was cheaper at the retail store. As we were checking out, I’m hearing thunder and feeling annoyed “why didn’t I just buy the item at the retail store and return it if it was cheaper at the supercenter??” We quickly loaded the groceries in the car and raced back to the retail store. I told my son, “this is going to be quick, we’re just grabbing the item and heading out.” Little did I know.

I decided to carry baby girl since this was a “quick” trip. We hurried to the back of the store purchased the item and then quickly scurried down the aisles to exit the store. I had just looked at my son and make a remark like “we’re doing pretty good, I think we’ll make it to the car before the storm.” Then it happened….my left foot caught some sort of liquid and shot straight out in front of me and I slammed to the ground on my right knee. I had baby girl in my arms so I know I leaned back so I wouldn’t drop her. After I realized that I had fallen I felt my face get hot out of shear embarrassment and I tried to stand up but was off balance with holding the baby. Next thing I know this lady with her cart of kids pulls through the racks and says in her loud southern voice, “Are ya’ll okaaaaaay?” I slowly stand up and say I’m fine and was thankful I hadn’t dropped my daughter. Jonathan spotted a staff member and he came over to wipe up the small puddle. I kept staring at the small amount of liquid wondering how I slipped in it. I just wanted out of there fast!! The lady proceeds to tell me about the time she fell in a store and how she had to file a report and encouraged me to do the same. I said I was ok even though my knee and leg were aching, I knew my pride was hurt the most. The staff member happened to be the store manager “GREAT!” She had me fill out all this paperwork and then asks to see my knee to see if there was swelling or bruising. Now, I have to show my leg to this lady…..I wanted to preface that I just had a baby and was currently working on toning the leg she was about to stare at. As I stick my leg out I realize that I had forgotten to lotion my legs! Therefore, she is pushing and prodding my ashy leg. I was mortified!!! There’s only so much humiliation a person can take!

On the way home I couldn’t help but giggle to myself. My son asked it I was hurt and I said my leg was sore but I was sure I was fine. He said “is it ok to laugh about it now?” We laughed and I said how watching someone wipe out is pretty funny. I rehearsed the story to my husband and good friend. My friend chuckles and says, “I wish I could see the security tape”. I swallowed hard, “I hadn’t thought of that!!” My imagination ran wild as I pictured two security guards laughing and rewinding my fall and then playing in slow motion as they waved their friends in to watch……humiliating! I’m reminded that humility is a becoming character quality and maybe the Lord is reminding me I need more of it.

I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. -Dr. Seuss

Who’s Behind the Mustache?

Dress up is a favorite of most girls. My girls particularly enjoy putting on flowing dresses, big hats, sunglasses, and crowns. Recently, we held a Junior High girl’s activity at my house. We had a screen set up with some dress up items for them to wear. My fellow leader, Kylee, created these mustaches on a stick for us to use for fun during the picture taking. Everyone enjoyed the mustaches and later we found ourselves using them just to talk to each other. Everyone began chatting in their own fake accent that they would use while asking questions or commenting throughout the brunch. Everything seems funnier when said with a big mustache over your mouth!

Later that day, as I was cleaning up from the brunch my mind thought about the mustaches. First of all, I’m horrible at any type of accent! I cannot get a British, Irish, Indian, or even Spanish (which I AM!) to sound right. I never even attempt them. However, I was talking in an accent-it was probably a conglomeration of quite a few accents-most of the brunch. I felt comfortable because I had this silly mustache over my face and it seemed ok.

Often as a Christian and a Mom I wear my fake mustache. I don’t want to show my shortcomings to my children and I want to look like I have it all together to those around me. Lately, I’ve really been trying to become transparent to my children, this is extremely hard. As I was discussing sin with my son, I began to share an evident sin I struggle with. It was amazing to see how he leaned in very attentive to each word I said. I explained that as an adult I still will struggle with sins in my life. I’m still so in need of the cross. However, as I strive in my walk with the Savior I know I can overcome this sin. With His help, my spirit will over power my flesh. After we talked, he gave me this hug and said, “Thanks Mom, for sharing that with me.” It was truly humbling to take off a mustache and admit to my 11 year old that I sin and am VERY far from perfection. I didn’t inform him of anything new, he’s seen my sin before-all I did was show him transparency can go a long way.

*Above pic is my dear friend Kylee and I with our mustaches. :)