We get up in the morning with an agenda. We are going to clean the house, we are going to run errands, we are even going to go through those boxes in the garage! And then, the cereal gets spilled on the floor, the dog escapes, the baby takes a tumble, and the twelve year old decides that chores are boring.
The to-do list sits untouched as we rush from one crisis to another. "Where did my day go?" we wonder. At this point, we have a choice. We can start to whine about the wrecking of our plans, or we can take each moment as it comes, and experience life, not as a list of things to do, but as a series of interactions with those around us.
Many of us might begin the day with Bible study, or a devotional, or at the very least, a quick prayer. "Lord, I give You this day. Help me to serve You in all that I do." And then, we start on our list. We stick to it as if it came from Mt. Sinai, and we get aggravated or even angry when we're called away from it.
The wisdom of Proverbs tells us:
"A man's heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps."
Proverbs 16:9
If we really want the Lord to be in charge of our day, we need to hand over that list too. "Lord, here's the list. Guide my steps and let me see You at work in each moment." Then, we can see each "crisis" as an opportunity. Clean up the cereal and demonstrate the Lord's patience. Comfort the baby and shine with His compassion. Set the 12 year old straight and establish (again) the life-long importance of a good work ethic and a servant's heart.
Have you ever asked the Lord to give you opportunities to share the gospel? To witness to others? It could be that these interactions come in less obvious forms that you might be counting on. Perhaps the harried cashier just needs your smile. And maybe your children just need a hug (or firm discipline). No moment is too small for God's hand.
And what about that to-do list? Those boxes are still sitting in the garage and the house looks like a tornado went through it. Take heart! God loves order, and again in Proverbs we have a promise.
"Commit your work to the Lord,
And your plans will be established."
Proverbs 16:3
Maybe not on our timetable, and perhaps not in our way, but when we hand over the course of the day to the Lord, He takes care of the details.
1 comment:
I cannot even BEGIN to imagine raising 7 very young children! You are a saint in my book, Aimee. I thank you for your incredible wisdom and willingness to share how God's word is lived out in your life, helping you to do the huge job He has blessed you with! I wish I had known you when I was raising my 3 children!! :o) Are you working on that best-seller yet?
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