I was fellowshipping with some good friends yesterday and we were talking about what makes up a good day. When you think of the best day you've had what would it be? Here are things that might typically be included:
- Smiling, cheerful children
- No fighting or disobedience
- Getting outside to enjoy nature
- Enjoying extra-special, yummy food
- Taking time for a bath
- Going on a date with hubby
- Going to a friend's house
These things are generally fun, good things but should we be seeking these kinds of "good" days frequently and measuring our current day against these standards? In our discussion yesterday we were talking about how any day lived with God in control and resting and abiding in him is truly the best day.
Imagine a day where you start out getting little sleep during the night. The baby got up and was fussy and wouldn't go back to sleep but you used that time to pray for family, friends, missionaries and didn't fret about it. Then you get up in the morning tired from getting woken up that night and spend a few minutes in the word and the Lord speaks to you from his word reviving you and putting your soul at rest. You move into getting the kids up and the 2-year-old starts screaming at the 4-year-old for touching his truck and the 4yo keeps teasing him by touching it more and instead of thinking, "here we go again, why do they always fight - when are they going to learn", you pray for wisdom in directing them and gently correct and discipline them.
You move through the day with the Lord, sometimes having moments of joy seeing the kids learn, but sometimes working through the inevitable challenges of parenting. You see the challenges as opportunities to correct your children and guide them in the Lord's ways. They are opportunities to show love and grace to your children despite their failures just as God shows us his love and grace in our failures. The day may not have been filled with the good, enjoyable fun things of life, but it was full of God and his grace and presence.
When we live our days longing for peace and happiness, so often we're frustrated and upset by the realities of our sinful selves, our spouse's sinful self, our children's sinful selves and so on. We so often want the easy life with no trials or challenges. If only the kids would behave..... But when we rest and abide with God throughout our day and live in his presence even when things go wrong, there is a joy that permeates the day that goes beyond what any happiness can bring.
Oh to live each day in abiding joy with God!
"Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, I will say it again, REJOICE. Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:4-5
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• Fri 12 Oct 2007 - Untitled Comment