Cool Travel Mom Journey: Friday – Mortification of the Senses
Slipping, Sliding, and Surrendering to Laughter
Some moments in life remind us that we’re not in control—especially when nature decides to challenge us in the most unexpected ways.
It was an early morning, and my mom and I found ourselves in a situation we never could have anticipated. The weather had turned brutal overnight, covering everything in a thick, unforgiving layer of ice. We had parked the car, ready to make our way to the house, but quickly realized we had absolutely no traction. Every step we attempted was met with the same outcome—we slid right back to where we started.
I was more worried about my mom than myself. The last thing I wanted was for her to slip and fall. I told her, "If you feel like you’re going to fall, let me know, and I will fall with you. I’ll make sure you land on me instead of the ground." I could see the concern in her eyes, but I also knew she was equally worried about me.
We tried everything—adjusting our stance, inching forward, holding onto each other—but nothing worked. The ice had us trapped just steps away from the house. No matter what movement we attempted, we kept sliding backward. It was so ridiculous that we just started laughing.
Desperate for a solution, I finally called my husband. My mom had the idea of using rugs from the washroom to create some friction, and he came outside to help. As we waited, we stood there, stuck in place, giggling at the absurdity of it all.
I looked at her and said, “Mom, worst comes to worst, we’ll just crawl to the house. Are you in?”
Without hesitation, she laughed and said, “Okay.”
At that moment, we were no longer two adults struggling against nature. We were two kids, caught in an unexpected adventure, problem-solving with laughter instead of frustration.
When my husband finally arrived with the rugs and laid them down in front of us, we both looked at each other—and instead of relief, we just burst into even more laughter. It wasn’t just about getting inside anymore; it was about the pure joy of the moment.
We had every reason to be frustrated, cold, and irritated. But instead, we chose to embrace the absurdity, let go of our worries, and just enjoy the moment for what it was.
Lessons from the Ice: Embracing the Mortification of the Senses
At first glance, this experience was just a funny struggle against the ice, but looking deeper, it was a small lesson in mortification of the senses—the practice of enduring discomfort with patience, humility, and trust in God.
🔹 Discomfort is an opportunity for growth. We couldn’t control the ice, but we could control how we responded to it. Instead of frustration, we chose laughter. In life, we don’t always get to change our circumstances, but we can change our attitude.
🔹 Surrender teaches trust. The moment we realized we weren’t going anywhere, we had to let go of control. Sometimes, God places us in situations where we have no choice but to trust and wait for His timing—whether that’s waiting for help, waiting for a solution, or simply accepting the moment as it is.
🔹 We don’t have to suffer alone. My mom and I were in this together. We leaned on each other, quite literally, and turned our challenge into something fun. Just like in life, when things get tough, we need to lean on our loved ones and, most importantly, on God.
🔹 Finding joy in struggle is an act of faith. We could have been irritated, but instead, we found joy in the moment. Learning to laugh through difficulties is a gift—it reminds us that happiness isn’t just found in ease but in our ability to see light even in discomfort.
This unexpected experience is now one of my favorite memories with my mom. It reminded me that sometimes, life's best moments aren't the ones we plan for—but the ones where we simply surrender, adapt, and find joy in the struggle.
👉 Have you ever had a moment where you had to laugh through the struggle? I’d love to hear your story! Share in the comments.
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