Feeling completely overwhelmed after looking at my schedule for the week, I headed out for a walk. The fresh air always does me good in the morning, clears the cobwebs away I guess. Running through my head were the feelings that had been circulating through my mind this morning…
Sitting down with my husband to go over our week, it seemed like there were a million things to do, each one overlapping the next. I realized that as the morning had gone on, I was feeling short tempered, irritated, and just plain annoyed. In the back of my mind I was remembering a conversation we had at our small group last night about choices. Whatever we do each and every day is a choice. Granted, some choices I don’t have much say in…school, doctors appointments, dentist, etc., but the other ones I make out of a desire to do so. At some point those choices seemed to be very important- enough so to put in my calendar. This leaves me with a decision to make; to continue to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and irritable…or to try to look at these activities through a different lens, a lens of opportunity.
For example, although I already keep up with laundry daily, there was yet another load to be folded and one to be put in the dryer. Instead of complaining I took the opportunity to look at that laundry and to see what it represented; A husband who is healthy and strong- who spent his Saturday helping a friend paint and fix up their home so they could move into it. ( I had the 4 loose screws that were in the pocket to prove it.) A daughter that was healthy enough to have a horseback lesson. Another daughter that is able to be a part of a team that competes in shooting- and she brought home a first place medal for the State competition. I had pajamas, and socks, and well you know the rest…. all signs of a busy, happy, and healthy family. Suddenly my laundry took on new meaning.
What if we chose to look at all of our activities through that new lens? The appointments, the shuttling kids back and forth from sports practices, the grocery shopping, whatever it is- thank God that we have the ability to do those things. It actually turned my day around. I thought about Philippians 4:8~ “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” And if I may add…”whatever is unpleasant, whatever is annoying, whatever is time-consuming, if anything is difficult or not worthy of praise…think about how the Lord is blessing you through them.” It’s all a matter of perspective. Of course sometimes this is easier said than done, but the outcome is certainly a lot more pleasant and productive.
Dear Lord, Some days I just don’t feel like I can handle the activities on my calendar. Help me to see where I need to make adjustments, and for the things I cannot change- help me to alter how I look at them. Let me see them how you see them, with a new set of eyes. Thank you for the opportunities you give me each day to take difficult circumstances and turn them into an act of worship for you. Amen
Simply By Grace 