Yesterday was a day that started off on the Less side and never quite made it to the More, and by the night, I was wishing for a do-over.
First of all, it started an hour earlier than usual, which for me, is never a good thing. All the warm feelings I had felt the day before about serving my husband had vanished in the fog of morning. I was grumpy.
Now I remember, at this point, before the blur of sleep had even cleared from my eyes, thinking, "Whoa. This is not a good start. There is no good reason to be so irritated." Unfortunately, I didn't make the next step of actually doing something to change it. Looking back, I realize that in that moment I had the opportunity to turn my attitude over to God so He could transform it.
How I wish I had! Maybe then I would have played that game of Battleship with my little boy when he asked. Maybe I would have corrected my daughter more gently during our school time. Maybe I would have been more patient when the baby was fussing, dinner was in the last frenzied stage of "almost on the table" and the table wasn't set yet (though I distinctly remember assigning that job to one of my young ones). Maybe I would have taken a moment to enjoy my daughter's stories and project ideas. Maybe I would have calmly explained to my son why we shouldn't spit water at people instead of barking at him to go stand in the corner. Oh, the list could go on. It is amazing how many little incidents throughout the day can ruin the peace of the home simply because I was walking in flesh instead of Spirit.
"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:1
Graciously, God provides fresh mercies each morning. Today is my chance at a do-over. I woke an hour early again, but I remembered, before my eyes had cleared, to ask that God would direct my words, steps, and attitudes today. So far, so good….
As always I am,
Striving for More of Him.
