Blog readers who attended Sunday school as children will remember the old chorus we used to sing (with vigorous hand motions) called “Rolled Away.”

Line two was, “Every burden of my heart rolled away.” Today I managed a roll-away that added to my burden instead. While walking Jack, I rolled my foot off a thick-soled sandal.

Several unlikely circumstances came together, the reason for most accidents. When I felt the zap of a bee sting on my toe, I leaped into the air (ok, lurched) and kicked off my flip-flop, rolling the other foot on my landing. Jack’s retractable leash also went flying and impressed him so much he froze with his eyes fixed on me. The whole picture would have made a laughable video for America’s Funniest.

Depositing Jack at home, I grabbed my list of eight errands and headed out. By the third store, my foot was throbbing, and by the fourth I was hanging onto the upholstery sample rods at Joann’s Fabric Store in an effort to stay upright. Hopping to the car on one foot, I drove home with my ankle propped against the AC vent and had a mental love affair with a bag of ice.

Tonight, after several hours in the deep freeze, the swelling is down, and the color is up. I’m arguing against Louisa’s label of “accident prone” and am fighting the inconvenience of a painful foot.

As I sat this afternoon with my propped pillow and ice bag, I was furious with myself. The high sandals were a cast-off from one of the girls, and I should have left them in the trash where I found them five years ago. Today I only wore them because they matched my skirt, so it was vanity that got me in trouble.

Now I have a chance to double my error by complaining or be a patient patient. I can either adjust my attitude and graciously accept this set-back or resist it and fill the cottage with discontent. As they say, attitude is everything.

Trying my best to think maturely but not getting too far, I was rescued by the Lord and Erika. He brought to mind this eight year old great-niece, who is great indeed, especially on attitude issues. For example, I’ve been self-conscious for years about a gold crown in my mouth, hoping some day to make it white like the other teeth. But when Erika saw it she said, “I see your princess tooth, Marni!” Attitude is everything.

Erika puts me to shame with her upbeat analysis of life. God is pleased with her in that, and he expects the same of me. The fact that my foot has served me well these many years and now is holding me back is no excuse for whining. Gratitude should always be my attitude, no matter what new burdens roll in.

And if I have trouble finding anything good about this, maybe I’ll call Erika.

“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him… overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

P.S. It wasn’t even a bee sting, just a broken bit of acorn.