Little Stuff

I'm listening to the radio, and Francesca Battistelli's "This is the Stuff" is on.  This song used to annoy me.  I thought it was a little silly and couldn't understand why people liked such a song so much that the radio station would play it every hour, it seems.  While in the car with Jeremy a month or so ago, this song came on and he turned it up, telling me he liked it.  I was surprised.  I told him that I found it silly and a little annoying... something about how she can't find her cell phone and she's getting a speeding ticket... why in the world is she singing about this?
Jeremy defended the artist by telling me, "you obviously haven't really listened to the words."  Again, surprised, now that such a statement like "listen to the words" came out of my husband's mouth.  He can hum the tunes of any song; but I thought he only knew all the words to a few late 80's hair band songs... and he should not be proud of that.
So, intrigued, I listened.  To every word.  And now, I too like the song.  It speaks to what happens so much in life.  Even to me and Jeremy now that our battle with cancer is officially behind us.  Our pastor talked about how blessings can actually cause a divide between us and God.  That when we're in the middle of a trial, or depending on God for every moment, to meet every need, we're more aware of all the ways God is working in and around us.
So, for the few of you who haven't heard "This is the Stuff", I'll save you the time googling the lyrics and put the gist of the song here:

I lost my keys, in the great unknown
and call me please, cause I can't find my phone.
This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately.
In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed.
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I've got to trust, you know exactly what you're doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff you use.


So break me of impatience;
conquer my frustrations;
I've got a new appreciation.
It's not the end of the world.

I was browsing through the Facebook newsfeed, and saw that an out of town friend of mine is enduring the pain of watching her mother suffer through a rapidly growing cancer with an unfavorable prognosis. My stomach churned and my heart ached, as it brought me back to what I'd been feeling just a few months ago.  I fell straight to my knees in the middle of my "little mess" of the day.  I prayed for healing and comfort of my friend and her mother.  I apologized for allowing my little stuff to cloud my memory of where I've been and what God has brought me through.  And I thanked God for bringing us through it.
On November 15, while sitting in the doctor's office with Jeremy, I longed to exchange the reality I was facing for the "little stuff".  So, I'm with Jeremy on this one; Battestelli's prayer in her song, is my daily prayer as well.

Dear Heavenly Father, break me of my impatience and conquer my frustrations.  You've brought me through the darkest of nights and the most turbulent storms.  I have a new appreciation for my daily blessings.  Thank you for reminding me of how I got where I am today.