I coasted on fumes into a gas station near our house.  I don’t usually go to this station since I can get it cheaper a bit down the road but I wasn’t totally sure I could make to the other one.  It’s busy today but I didn’t have to wait.  As I pull in I am bombarded by NOISE.  When I step up to the pump a loud chime happens and a television (newly installed) begins showing commercials.  I’m trying to slide my card and make the correct selections as another screen to my left starts going on and on about the benefits of selecting some gas additive they are offering – guaranteed to clean out my vital engine parts…or something like that.

Each selection on the keypad leading up to actually pumping the gas has a beep or some other annoying sound.  Then, as though the nearby traffic, dreadfully loud commercials and such weren’t enough another patron pulls up to the pump next to me with his stereo blasting some obscene music that is literally shaking the ground with each beat.

((Deep breath))  Why is this thing pumping so slow?  Come on, come on – I really need to get out of this place.  NO, I don’t want that additive.

((Thump, Thump))  I turn to see my kids in the back of the van waving, “hi mom”.  I gave a half smile and waved back trying to ignore the pounding that is now wracking my brain.  I turn back around and rub my forehead with my free hand.  Maybe moving to a very small town (or private island) isn’t such a bad idea.  LOL, well, of course someone needs to turn on that car-vac over there. 

I finally get to pull out and I end up behind a school bus lol.  So, a drive home that should have been rather quick was greatly delayed.  ((Another deep breath))  We’re home and the kids are supposed to be picking up their rooms but I think they are trying to see who can out-tattle who.  “Mom!  Ann isn’t helping!”  Of course Jewel, who has a stomach thing at the moment, is clinging to me and whimpering while watching “Dora the Explorer”.

It’s times like these when I wish I wasn’t a recovering sugar addict.  I’d be into some chocolate right now lol.  What I need is a bit of peace and quiet instead of a piece o’ chocolate.  I don’t think God ever intended for our lives to be so noisy.

Be still, and know that I am God: (Psalm 46:10a)