A Good Deed Never Goes Unpunished!

I think that we are given challenges to see what our reactions will be.  Today was one of those days in my life.  My Father-in-law came down today to look at our boat.  Not the new crappie boat, but the pontoon boat that we have had for a few years, and had now been replaced with the said new crappie boat.

I was able to get most of my to-do-list accomplished before he arrived, and was so confident that things would go great all day.  While we were out, we decided to go by the boat shop and pick up the new boat.  On it's maiden voyage to try and "troll for crappie," the live well quit working.  I found this quite comical, but Scott, not so much.  Anyway, we went and picked up the new boat and headed back home.  I know that I will have earned major brownie points when Scott sees that I took the time to go and pick up his boat while I am out! 

After turning on our street, the boat trailer hitch jumped off of the ball.  I know, I most likely didn't have it hooked up correctly, but I can promise you, I have hooked up many of trailers, and have never had this happen.  In my moment of panic, my father-in-law calmly says, slow down, but don't put on your brakes...What?  I have already come to a quick stop.  Anyway, we both jumped out to see what happened.  As you can imagine, the safety chains are securely attached to the frame of the truck, and the tongue of the trailer is merely inches from the ground.  The first words out of my mouth are, "I think everything is OK...Don't tell Scott!"  Bobby promised not to breath a word.  I thought all was going to be fine until my neighbor drives by. 

Praise the Lord we have a great relationship with our neighbors.  She saw that I was unloading a floor jack to try and raise the boat up and return it to it's place on the ball.  She just happened to be on the phone with her husband, and explained my predicament.  While we were waiting on Bill to arrive, another friend passed by, and I realized my secret will be out soon, and I might as well call and confess before I am in HUGE trouble.  Nothing like tearing up a man's new toy!

As I am dialing the phone, all I can think about is if only I could keep a secret.  I am the world's worst!  Scott answers at his desk, and I can tell there is a room full of people.  I instantly break out, "Everything is OK, and I am waiting on Mr. Bill, but your boat is fine, and it jumped off of the ball."  Scott replies, "Likely story, if everyone is OK, I will call you back."  Click. 

Nothing like a short story when you are in a panic. I am sure I could have said my leg is cut off, and the reply would have been the same!  Back to the story.  Mr. Bill arrived, and I used the jack to get the boat on the ball of his tractor.  He took the boat three houses down, and backed it into the backyard.  I promise you, it was hooked up properly!

So, I tell you this adventure today to let you know it is a miracle of God that this incident happened on our street. Not on the Interstate just a few miles before, where the outcome could have been much different.  The Lord made sure that I was so close to home, and no one was hurt.  The Little Man was a trooper through this entire ordeal, and Mr. Bill gave him a ride on his tractor just for good measure.  I am not sure who was more excited.




The Little Man and Mr. Bill.


I learned a very valuable lesson today, and that is I will never take it upon myself to go and pick up the crappie boat just to be a wonderful wife.  I will have to be asked next time, and have the reassurance that if something happens, it is not my fault! I also didn't know that they were going to install a new "trolling rig" on the front, and we ended up going to the boat shop again. 

All in all, it turned out to be a great day, and we were able to enjoy some quality family time riding 4-wheelers at the farm this afternoon.  Pickles had a great time, and came home with the mud to prove it!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah