This morning I took our youngest, Matt, to a local cafe because every Monday there are veterans that gather there. Matt loves history and has sat with the veterans before, listening and learning about their unique stories. To my surprise, getting Matt up this morning was easy. He jumped out of bed, got ready and was excited for his day ahead. I'll let you behind the curtain a little and share that our school mornings school are not always this smooth.
On the way to the cafe I complimented Matt for getting ready so quickly and for his positive attitude while doing so. I asked him, "what made it easy for you to get ready this morning?" He replied, "I had something to look forward to."
His comment made my heart smile and also gave me insight into his school morning struggles. I asked him, "on school days, do you look forward to your day?" He replied, "some days when I have art, PE and library, but not the other days." I appreciated his honesty, and then I went into Mom mode saying, "everyday there is something to look forward to, we just don't always know what it is, but we have to trust that God has something good in each day waiting for us." Matt said, "I guess you're right." I then shared, "let's try that the rest of the week, saying something that we have to look forward to in the day to help us get up and ready with greater ease."
As these words exited my mouth, I knew I was not only saying them for Matt but that I needed to hear these words as well.
Sometimes I enter my day, and week, seeing the lists and tasks, and my heart's posture may not be right and ready for what's ahead, just like Matt's on some school mornings. It made me think of a quote that I heard yesterday that I had shared with my family,
"If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within, you will be depressed. If you look at God, you'll be at rest." - Corrie Ten Boom
I share this with you today in case you can relate to Matt and me, and be looking at the day instead of at God and what He has in the day for us.
I invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.™
May we not be so focused on our schedules, our to do lists, or our desires that forget the wisest place for us to put our focus; on God. May we pray that we can be intentional, and directional, with our thoughts and remember to seek God first in our days. When we do this, may He help remind us that we have breath in our lungs and therefore He has a purpose for us in this day. May we give thanks for the day, no matter what it holds. May we ask God to show us the blessings He has placed along our way during the day, and how we can be a blessing to others along the way; like the veterans were for Matt today, and I am sure he was for them.
With love and hope,
Shawn
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
- Psalm 121:1-2