Have you ever just had a day? One where nothing was where it was supposed to be? One where the computer wasn’t cooperating and the phone call you were hoping for didn’t come, but the emails you got had bad news and your head just wouldn’t stop hurting? One where it seemed like everything was falling apart and there was absolutely nothing you could do about it? Me, too.
Actually, it was yesterday. No, it wasn’t the end of the world and yes, part of it may have been a mistake—it hasn’t all been resolved yet, so perhaps I was bit more agitated since I had to wait…and I’ve never been really good at waiting. Either way, at the end of the day, there was really nothing I wanted more than to just be home and not leave again for awhile. That wasn’t an option, so what did I do? Read.
I love reading. It can take me away from the difficult situations and the people who inhabit or create them and allow me to interact with brilliant people who have it all figured out…by the end of the book, anyway.
Well, not always…sometimes it just helps to read the writings of someone else who knows a bit about a difficult day. I didn’t have a copy of Judith Viorst’s Alexander and the Terrible , Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day with me, but I did have my Bible handy, so I chose to read portions of the Psalms. After reading through the ragings and the anguish and the joyous celebrations of King David and company, my day didn’t seem quite so bad after all.
I really needed the following reminders so, just in case you’re also having a ‘day’ today, I want to share some of the ones that made the biggest change in my perspective last night:
- “When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2b (Thank you, God, that when I am at the end of my limits, YOU are not even close to the end of Yours!)
- “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:8 (Thanks for the reminder that my immediate reactions aren’t the end of it—You have provided a better plan for me that doesn’t include anger or worry.)
- “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (Thank You for being in control of my mouth and keeping my words under Your control! Perhaps the wait was a good idea after all.)
- “Be my strong habitation, to which I resort continually…I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord God…” Psalm 71: 3a and 14-16a. (Thank You, again, for always being my place of refuge and for granting me hope the ability to praise You…along with strength for tomorrow…when I will need You even more!)
- “Because He is your Lord, worship Him.” Psalm 45:11b (That’s really what it all boils down to, isn’t it? Because He is Lord, it is my job to worship him…even at the end of a very difficult day.)
quiet ambitions: 