Some weeks start gently. Carefully easing you into the chaos. This past Monday callously cracked open with a jolting reminder from my phone.

Preschool Picture Day flashed across the screen.

I had yet to pick out an outfit for the four year old and I hustled into his room to find appropriate clothing. Over the weekend the temperature had gone from balmy to brisk but his wardrobe had not caught up with the climate change. I frantically pulled a bin from storage and searched for long pants and a sweater. I handed my son a pair of corduroys which he grabbed eagerly.

“These are my favorite pants,” he exclaimed.

“Cool,” I responded absently while resuming my search to cover his top half.

I spied a matching button down and turned back to the partially dressed child. His favorite pants stopped mid-calf, making them his new favorite capris.

“Sorry buddy,” I said, “we need different pants. Those are way too short.”

Apparently putting on the beloved slacks had rekindled their love affair and he promptly started to cry.

“No, I want to wear these. They are my favorite,” he wailed.

I was fairly certain he’d never seen these pants before in his life, but that wasn’t a point worth exploring.

I showed him two equally stylish looking alternatives. Both were met with tears and a dramatic monologue highlighting his intense devotion to the corduroy pants.

I considered my options and  decided to wait him out. I left him in his room, weeping and pleading his case to anyone who passed by the doorway.

When the sobbing subsided to sniffles, I re-entered.

“How about this pair buddy,” I suggested sympathetically.

“Ok,” he gulped bravely, donning khakis with red rimmed eyes and a quivering lip.

We arrived, exhausted, at the breakfast table and I hurriedly packed lunches. I was focused on the task at hand when I heard a gasp. I turned and saw the perfect picture day outfit covered in oatmeal.

The four year old looked at me innocently, as if to say “well someone made this a bit too watery, didn’t they?”

I confess, I lost it. My mind melted into the quicksand of unsorted clothing bins and I yelled, “Are you kidding me?!”

There was silence at the table as I wordlessly stripped him of his clothes and stomped up the steps to find a replacement. In the quiet of his room, holding a shirt cemented with oatmeal, ready to scream with frustration, I was struck by words I had read earlier.

A devotion, written in voice of Jesus, had said, “Don’t take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about?” (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young – An amazing devotional for the days you aren’t reading Devo on the Go!)

The words hit home.

All this worry and stress about an outfit for picture day. Is this a decision that will impact his life whatsoever? Have I ever looked back at my old photos and thought I know I could have had a shot at Harvard if only my mother hadn’t selected that lime green pantsuit in first grade.

I chuckled at the thought. A bit of lightening up and laughter was definitely in order. Too often I let the little details derail me from focusing on the God things.

I found a new outfit, redressed the four year old for the third time and moved everyone out the door.

I deposited each kiddo at school, on-time, and cockily thought take that Monday!

Here’s some free advice. Don’t attempt swagger and overconfidence before 9 am. It will come back to bite you.

Yes indeed, Monday sank its canines directly into my backside as I arrived at the preschool for pick-up. The teacher met me at the door.

“Jenn,” she said gently, “I couldn’t help but notice how nicely dressed he was today.”

I beamed at the recognition, thankful that all the effort hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“But, I just wanted to let you know,” she continued with a smile. “Picture day is tomorrow.”

Well played, Monday. Well played.

To my future self – here is a photo of what the four year old would have looked like on picture day. Tomorrow he dresses himself. I have a feeling I know what pants he will choose.

Anyone else struggle with letting the little details derail you from focusing on the God things? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below. Share your picture day disaster stories too! I can’t be the only one!