Funny how a new lock on the door can bring a long past conversation to mind.

Me:      “I can tell you how to get your fingerprints to disappear. All you have to do is…”

Table leader:    “Ladies please, let’s get back to our subject matter!”

My table leader could have been rude to interrupt me—but maybe Bible study was not the best place to divulge that kind of information. I cannot even recall what brought that topic up. At any rate, now my table mates will never know.

The memory came popping up because of the new door lock we purchased. Like most everything in our home, this lock appears to have a mind of its own. Seriously.

The lock is the newest mental gadget against me. It accepts my code and fingerprint—until I try using said fingerprint to unlock the door. No can do.

The kitchen faucet suddenly needs a more competent hand than mine to turn off completely. The hose to the washing machine occasionally decides to leap out of its station and spill out leaving a souvenir puddle. Sometimes my blow dryer refuses to turn off when I push the on/off button. And my computer monitor will shut down at will. I could go on.

Have you noticed the recurring pattern? They are all things I use. My only comfort is that while the lock accepted my husband’s code and fingerprint at first. It now is rethinking the wisdom of letting him in the house too. Misery loves company.

The difference between Dave and I is he determines to master these inconveniences, refusing to allow the culprit-of-the-moment to win. My tendency is more in line with throwing the thing out the window. Anything that does not work as designed is trash to me.

It would be easy to think the world is against you. But these are everyday frustrations that happen to the best of us. Correction: The best of us may have in-house maids that do dishes and laundry. Maybe a daily hairdresser too. Since imagination is going off the deep end, perhaps the best of us have doormen to open and close doors for us as well.

I am an everyday person with none of the above. If you are too, take heart, these minor inconveniences is Jesus giving us opportunity to develop patience.

How are you doing? It’s okay, I understand.