You’ve heard the term ‘Another day, another dollar’, right? Its just a phrase meaning you are going to work and earning your wage for whatever job you are doing. This isn’t bad in itself, because at least you are working, even if it isn’t something you really want to do long term. Think back to the most difficult or most boring job you ever had, even if you just did it for a day, or didn’t even get paid for it. What got you through it? I remember my dad telling me stories of when he was a young boy having to get up to milk the cows early in the morning in the middle of winter and staying warm by keeping close to the heat from the cow and the milk in the bucket below. I grew up on a farm, but rarely had to crawl out of bed early in the morning to do chores like this, but could still appreciate what he was talking about. Sometimes you find enjoyment in little things when the task ahead of you seems mundane, or just another day. What did you look forward to most when you got out of bed this morning?
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23
When I got home from work today, my wife asked me how the day went and I had to pause a moment to consider, and said that it went pretty well. I had to make some last minute changes to my schedule this week, and basically flipped my whole agenda from what I had originally schedule today, contacted multiple people to inform them, and it actually worked out better than I planned, which isn’t always the case. Sometimes we make some last minute adjustments, which should go well but then it blows up in our face. Which is a reminder that our plans can go poorly for a variety of reasons, many which are out of our control. How do you react when something you put a lot of work and planning into falls apart? Initial reactions might be to get angry or frustrated at the situation, start blaming and condemning yourself or others for what went wrong, but ultimately you realize that this never really helps solve the problem, so you pick up the pieces and move on. What helps you most when your best made plans fall apart?
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
What makes the difference between living an ordinary day and an extraordinary day? Surely you have had at least a few remarkable days in your life, so far. It may have been something unique that you had never done before, or you spent a special with others that really stood out to you. Its fun to experience and treasure those times, but is it reasonable to think that every day can be like that? Like an adrenaline junkie who is always seeking to do something bigger and better and one up the previous feat, do we feel the need to always do something more each day? This past day wasn’t special for me in that I did anything really remarkable, but it was that I truly enjoyed most every moment as I went through the day. I had good encounters with everyone I worked with, and even thought it fun as the strong, cold wind tried to push me off the road. Another thing that has almost always helped me is to acknowledge first thing in the morning (or even later) that this is the Lord’s day and give it over to Him, and to do my best with what I am given each day. It kind of takes the pressure of ‘If its to be, its up to me’ off and just make the best of each moment. Another thing that often helps is to pray for each person you plan to meet with each day. It often helps me appreciate and value them more, and takes the focus off me, instead of how I can improve their lives today. I need to practice these things more, but by doing so, it can help make just another day into another extraordinary day in this life. May today be an extraordinary day for you!
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:3-5
Yours in Christ,
Clark
