They don't get the name "GRUMPY" for nothing!

I have been so stressed this week...hence the lack of blogging! I've been working with a "former" boss this week on an inventory at First Baptist. He owns an inventory company that catalogs in print and photographs all the items of a home or business for Insurance purposes. This is very detailed and stressful work, especially in a church of several city blocks! We have been working diligently all week to get this church inventoried and we are only about half-way finished.

I used to work with him 5 years ago and he hasn't been able to find good help since! He calls me when he has big jobs and begs me to come and help him, cause honestly, he knows I'll get it done. Anyway, he called me about a month ago and asked me to give him one week to help him on this job. Turns out it will probably take two weeks, at least. Let me just say, that I have been reminded of why I quit working with him several years ago. He was pretty cranky then, but now he is even crankier..if that's even a word! He is almost 70 years old (too old to be doing this type of work) and he is ornery, obstinant, grouchy, grumpy, and downright rude at times. He always has to be right and that doesn't mix well with someone who really IS always right! (it's true...just ask my hubby!) There have been several times this week that I've had to just put down the laptop and walk away for a few minutes and take a few deep breaths. One day I even had to call Gary and tell him to say something quick to keep me from walking off this job! I'm the only one that knows how to run the program on the laptop. He just "flits around" taking photos on the digital camera...what monkey can't do that? I've told him all week that if he realized how valuable I was, he would be nicer to me! He just laughs. Each morning I prayed for patience in dealing with him, and each morning that patience flew right out the window in about 2.2 seconds. By the time I got home each evening, I was both physically and mentally exhausted and usually in the bed by 9:30 p.m. And now week one is turning into week two. Ugh.

One final thought...this afternoon we were working on a floor with a maid. She seemed a little "off" because she kept talking to herself nonstop, very loudly I might add. But she said something that stuck with me. She was babbling about this and that when I heard her say, "God has given each of us different gifts, and this is my gift". Here she was, pushing a janitorial cart around, vacuuming, dusting, emptying trash cans, but she was doing it joyfully unto the Lord. That was like a sock in the gut to me. I asked the Lord for forgiveness for my poor attitude and was quickly reminded of Philippians 2:14 , "Do all things without complaining and disputing." So, thank you Velma, for that very powerful testimony...seems like I was the one that was a little "off".