Grr...

I'm very irritated at the moment, and have been since 8:40 this morning. It isn't good for my soul. Or for those around me, either; thankfully, I haven't been around too many people this morning and those I have been around understand.

Since Monday, I had been planning to use today as the "catch-all" day to prepare for my retreat next week in Hawaii. When I awoke this morning I was energized and ready to set to work, and looking forward to it.

I was going to complete all unfinished paperwork for the parish and Diocese this morning, pay bills, sign checks, write letters to parishioners and a couple letters of recommendation, finish next week's bulletin, work on the parish directories. This afternoon I was going to clean the rectory thoroughly and pack for my retreat. This evening I was going to work on my homily for Sunday's Masses. Very little of any of that has come to pass.

Yesterday I returned to Effingham to celebrate Catholic Schools' Week. When I returned last night I had a message that the washer and dryer I ordered some weeks ago were to be delivered today between 2:00 and 4:00 (they called like this last week but I had to be out of town when they said they'd arrive); thanks for the notice. They just called to say they'll be arriving closer to 5:00. They best work quickly; I have Exposition at 6:00.

This morning I had business thirty miles away for which I left after Mass. When I arrived, I learned that what I was promised would be done last night was not. After waiting an hour and a half for the work to be finished, I finally left because there was no sign that what I needed would be finished anytime soon. After being back in Virden for about an hour I received a call telling me the project was ready to be picked up, so back in my car I went. What should have taken only an hour and fifteen minutes took close to five and a half hours.

Now it looks like plans for tomorrow will have to be changed, which I am loathe to do.

I don't mind it when days like today fall apart because of what I have or haven't done; if I ruin my own schedule and fail to do what I needed to do, so be it, but I really do not like my entire day falling apart because of what other's haven't done.

Dear Lord, give me patience! Saint Jerome (with whom I feel very close at the moment), pray for me!