The day I almost lost my keys

Normally a happy person, this was a week in which, for no apparent resaon, I felt like crying (or did) almost every day. Frustrating situations at work beyond belief, topped off with several moments of condescending "understanding" by the very people who could have prevented those situations. This was the day I survived, having finished all my work for the week and eagerly hopped in my car in the balmy 44 degree March weather only to remember I had driven to work on an empty gas tank. I sighed, trying to not get too disappointed that by the time I filled up , I'd get stuck in worse traffic. My mind had envisioned a great run and I could not wait to get my shoes on.
As soon as I did, I grabbed my iPhone, put my key and FOB in a little pocket and off I was, the sun still shining on my face. I faced the mud puddles and sloshy snow with a smile, not caring, because for the first time in many gray months it was sloppy instead of icy. My shoes tapped on the wet pavement with a happy rhythm, quickly changing to a darker color and getting heavy with water. A couple minutes into my run a good friend who lives far away called. I slowed down to a brisk walk, accepting altogether that I wasn't going to get my run in after all and I had not dressed warmly enough for a walk. We chatted, laughed and updated each other on our lives' joys and learning lessons. Suddenly, my heart panicked as I looked in my little pocket - my key was gone! My husband had left for International Falls over 5 hours ago, which meant that he was out of cell phone range. My throat tightened as my brain raced with anxious thoughts about what my weekend alone would look like if I was locked out of the house, without car keys, wearing muddy clothes and shoes until my husband got home. I tried to continue listening and chatting with my friend as I quickly went to retrace my steps, wondering how in the world I would find a single key in the sea of water and mud that had rendered my shoes a different shade for the past 30 minutes. I prayed, asking God for a break from this stress and to please help me find my keys. I calmed down enough to figure out I should begin where my run started. I made it all the way almost to my front door, worrying more the closer I got without seeing it, when suddenly - there lay my key just about 10 yards from my door! I praised God, breathing a "thank you!" with the biggest sigh of relief and realized: I can have a rough week, but I'm glad God is with me throughout it all. All day, I had prayed that this would be be true for me: "The Lord will guide you always. He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." (Isaiah 58:11). And my Lord did guide me and did strengthen me.