“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.” — Mary Jean Irion
With the “right” perspective, the frustrating days make ordinary days a little more full of love.
We grow resilient each time we opt not to run away from or fight the frustrations.
Be curious enough to find another reason why you won’t take this day for granted.
Appreciation for our ordinary experiences wakes us up to all the things that are going well.
Life tends to feel l ike a blessing when we see life as a blessing.
Psalm 27:4 "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
We all like short adventures and a change of pace once in a while, but there's something to be said of ordinary days. Maybe you've been fighting the flu or just got home from a busy trip, don't you just want a normal routine day? There are so many blessings of an ordinary day, yet we take them for granted until they aren't there.
Life is a blessing. Do you look for the little things to appreciate before they are gone? We get frustrated when a 'normal' in our life is missing. Our perspective changes when we do without. Many people take for granted the privilege to go to church, work or just get out of bed. When that's taken away long-term or permanently, we long for that 'normal' again.
We bring glory to God with an attitude of gratitude...in all things. 'Count your blessings, name them one by one.' Sometimes it's easier to start with what we as Americans would call 'basics', but that's not true for everyone. 'Thank you Lord for clean water to drink, for my home that protects me from the harsh elements, and for the electricity that not only gives me light but keeps me at a comfortable temperature.' Why do we appreciate more in times of trouble... when the water is frozen in the pipes, we're locked out of the house, or during a power outage? We cry out for God to help us then and give us our 'ordinary' back for the day.
In Psalm 27:4, David speaks of a life praising God, acknowledging God as the creator of all things and to learn from Him all that he can. "Do we hope that praising God will be the blessedness of our eternity? Surely them we ought to make it the business of our time." [M. Henry] Our 'ordinary' routines should always include a thankful word to God, because without Him we are nothing.
May we all appreciate and be thankful for the ordinary days between the peaks and valleys.
I love you and your posts! Thank you! ❤️����
ReplyDeletePam
How appropriate! My cell phone was stolen Saturday night, and my evening turned upside down. Talk about frustration...no way to communicate with anyone. I had to borrow phones to file a police report, etc. All I could think was, "How can I thank God in the midst of this?" As I began to find reasons to thank HIm, more and more came to mind, and eventually my frustrated heart was calmed by the grace of God. Thank God for His grace and mercy! What a minor thing to get upset about in the grand scheme of life and eternity! love, love, love
ReplyDeleteAngie,
ReplyDeleteYes, I think we all at times take the “normal” for granted. We have so much to be thankful for in just and ordinary day. When we have had a lot of frustrating or sick days, etc., the normal ones seem wonderful again. Maybe that is why we have the ups and down—so we can really appreciate the ups. A very good reminder to be thankful every day. I am thankful every day for the many blessings we have been given that I know many people in other countries would not even consider normal, but would think they are luxuries. All a matter of perspective and who you are thankful to.
Love,
Mom