Poop happens.

Especially with one of my dear friends. She seems to have a lot of “poop” stories. You might think that’s not a nice word to put in a blog post. Well, it is what it is, and she has the stories to prove it!

We don’t live close to each other, but we used to speak at many of the same conferences, so we’d enjoy our girlfriend times and laugh hysterically at the mayhems of her life. It’s okay. Sometimes you have to laugh at the junk of life because it beats crying.

When we were in Arizona several years, the “poop happens” phrase became a staple in our conversations because of an intense, overpowering (to say the least) experience. We were driving through the edge of town with our windows down, enjoying the warmer temperatures of the region, when we smelled something horrendous. I don’t mean the smell was simply unpleasant. It was overwhelmingly oppressive. The problem was even when we rolled up our windows, the trapped, saturated air surrounded and gagged us. We ridiculously tried to hold our breath. Tears ran down our cheeks – partly from laughter and partly from the stinging stench.

It took us a few miles to recuperate.

Poop happens.

Several months later, I titled a conference session “Poop Happens.” It was extremely well received. There’s not a single person on earth who hasn’t experienced a bit of poop in life.

My friend and I haven’t seen each other in a couple years (and I don’t like it!), but we recently experienced even more poop together. We’ve been trying to get together, driving several hours to meet halfway and enjoy a quick day together. We set a date – three times – and had to cancel for a variety of reasons. This past time, we almost made it. It was the day before our date when I got the message she and her daughter were sick. I was bummed, but I wanted her to be at full capacity when I saw her, so I wished her a speedy recovery.

I then realized I suddenly had a blocked day with no plans. I decided to work ahead on my to-do list.

• Check.
• Check.
• Check.

I checked off tasks as my productivity and creativity soared.

The disappointment of not spending time with a friend was tempered with the unexpected opportunity to get things done.

The poop provided fertilizer.

Poop happens. That’s life. Will you plug your nose and avoid it or use it for fertilizer today?

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2