Self-Care Hacks for the Stressed-Out and Overwhelmed

When I’m Stuck at a Genius Bar Miles From Home

15 Comments on When I’m Stuck at a Genius Bar Miles From Home Self-care and Nurture

stuckStuck at the Bar

I’m stuck at a Genius Bar waiting for my scheduled 6:15 Genius to show up and magically solve my problems. He shows up at 6:50. I struggle to remain patient and civil when he informs me that he can’t fix my computer tonight. They don’t have batteries for my computer in stock. Replacing it takes time. I did not have time.Ever feel stuck? You don't have to stay there. I learned this at a Genius Bar. #relationships #selfcare

A visit to the Apple store requires a 3 1/2 hour drive, a personal day away from work, and a night in a hotel. If I ship the computer off, it takes 10 days—with no guarantee that I’ll get it when they promise. Mail service in podunk towns precludes next-day delivery guarantees.

My Genius located a battery at another Apple store—he thinks. A Genius at the other store starts a search whilst my Genius does a diagnostic test on my computer and explains that they can’t guarantee that the battery will be ready to go by tomorrow. My blood pressure rises. I may get stuck in Phoenix for an extra night.

He returns and informs me that the other store set aside the battery for me, but that my battery ‘passed the test’ and doesn’t appear to need replacing. I politely disagree. My computer randomly shuts down when unplugged. I can’t live like this. I can’t live without my computer. Ok, I can. But I don’t want to.

My Genius Thoughts About God (or Not So Genius)

This makes me think about God. I can’t live without him, but I all too often get stuck in the mindset that he’s my heavenly butler. I want him to show up and fix things on my timeline. When that doesn’t happen, I get grumpy. I want him to change me on my timeline. After all, I know what’s wrong, and how God should fix it.

My Genius returns and runs another test. He informs me that my logic board may need replacing again. The problem goes deeper than I expected. Apple will replace the logic board for free, since I had a one-in-a-million faulty one to begin with. One that had panic attacks and shut down unexpectedly.

Back to God and how I get stuck in my relationship expectations with him. I confess that when I really turn over my hardware problems to him, he gently shows me that my self-diagnosis only includes part of my problem. All too often, I don’t want to admit the root problems with my logic board.

I don’t want to admit that I may have problems with my logic board when it comes to my relationship with God. Click To Tweet

Maybe getting stuck at the Genius Bar on a Thursday night constitutes part of God’s plan for my repair.

Q4U: Do you ever self-diagnosis the problems in your relationship with God?

15 Comments

  2. great post anita. i loved your comparisons. sadly, i can identify with them all too accurately, particularly the GOD is my butler one.
    i remember having to drive 2 hours to dallas to get to an apple store when we lived in TX. i love living in a city with an apple store in it. thanks to the high concentration of engineers that we have in huntsville, AL, apple decided this was a good place to have an apple store. i’m so glad:)
    for once, i’m your next door neighbor at FMF:)

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  3. I love the lessons you draw out from this experience, Anita. I agree, it is too easy to think of God as our “butler” and to expect him to do things on our terms instead of really seeking him and letting him address the root of the problem.
    Lesley recently posted…When You’re Stuck…My Profile

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  4. Oh how often do we want God to fix our problems immediately. Or we think we can diagnosis the problem ourselves. Great post friend. I’m over in the 6 spot this week.

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  7. Love how God speaks to us in our random moments (or somewhat intentional as this seems to be). My patience is tested when my agenda is shut down. Computers can be both an illustration as well as the catalyst for my frustration. If you lived closer, my husband could help you out-he does it on the side. “I don’t want to admit that I may have problems with my logic board when it comes to my relationship with God.” Great insight.

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  8. I think my logic board has been faulty for years! Ha. Love this analogy. And felt your frustration through the post. Visiting you from the recharge wed. link up. laurensparks.net

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Anita Ojeda

Anita Ojeda juggles writing with teaching high school English and history. When she's not lurking in odd places looking for rare birds, you can find her camping with her kids, adventuring with her husband or mountain biking with her students.

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