I didn't want to blog today; I'm tired, my laptop is packed away, it's just another day...blah, blah, blah.  And then she called, the one who has been my biggest fan.  From womb-mates to roommates and now best friends for life, she's always cheered me on to greater and bigger things.  Her plea?  "I'm waiting for your blog post."  And then I'm reminded why I began blogging in the first place-it's not about me, but all of the ones around me.  So with less than an hour left for today, here I am.

As I reflect on today, Day 5 of my 100 Day Challenge, here's my recurring thought; even the most bitter of things in life can be sweet when viewed from another perspective.  I had coffee with a friend this morning, and this small joint has the world's best hot chocolate (and I don't even like hot chocolate).  I settled for a cup of joe and much to my surprise they had sugar- free cinnamon syrup.  Perfect!  With spoon so dainty I stirred my cream and we laughed together.  One sip, ugh.  Two sips, blech.  Three sips, JUST GIMME A HOT CHOCOLATE-SUGAR AND ALL!!!!!  It was awful, bitter, undrinkable even when I thought about thirsty children in Haiti.

The rest of my day would unfold like the frantic Friday I never desired:  A car pulled right out in front of my bus loaded with children (talk about abruptly stopping the Twinkie), I got lost for 15 minutes in downtown San Angelo (that has to be a world record), my dog was sick and $100 later has a 103 fever, needed 3 shots and still won't eat , and then he threw up later and it seems as if today was just crazy.

But as I lay here, I'm thankful.  Because what could have been a major accident was not.  What could have been a dead dog is not.  And what was once getting lost turned into running into a very dear friend of mine.  And the sugar-free syrup? Let's just call it a wink from God, a reminder that He sees me and knows me and loves me.  Oh what grace the Father has lavished on me.  All truly is grace, and the bitter can be sweet...when truly understanding and thanking God for His mercy...BUT GOD.  Mercies new every morning.  Grace and peace.  And no......I didn't drink the hot chocolate!  :)