As I head into a new work week, I find myself fighting off a bit of bumminess (yes, it’s a word, I just made it up and you all know what I mean by it….heheh). Anyone else have to fight being bummed on Sunday nights? I think sometimes that Monday is not the best day because of our attitude toward it. We don’t let Mondays be good days, because we’re convinced going into them that they’re going to be bad. Guess what? If that’s our attitude, we’ll be correct in it. Therefore, another part of the plan is to allow God’s grace, mercy and love to shine through me…especially…in spite of…because of…yep, you got it…Mondays!
I’ve been chewing on Paul’s words in Philipians 4:8 for a while now. Finally, brothers, 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.
Paul is writing a letter to the church in Philipi. He is at the end of his letter, and he is about to sign off, but he can’t yet, he still has one more thing he has to tell these precious folk. Maybe he knows that the mail will be delivered on Sunday night. (Just for the record, verses 4 through 7 are powerful, too….read them if you get a chance.) So, tonight, he’s addressing me as I’m contemplating Monday morning. He’s saying, “Heather, think about things that are true….noble…right….pure… lovely…admirable…excellent….praiseworthy. As you go to sleep tonight, think about how wonderful God is. You know, He made the universe with you in mind. Did you know that God created all of the mathematical laws that you teach each day? He created those shells that have all those chambers with mathematical ratios…and yet, aren’t they pretty to look at and to listen to? As you go to sleep tonight, Dear One, think about the light that you take into the classroom each day. What new stunt do you think Little Johnny will do tomorrow to get your attention? How will you respond? Decide now to respond with love and gentleness. What a blessing your two children are! They’re growing up so quickly. Don’t forget to pray for them as you count your blessings before our Father’s throne tonight. They really are excellent and praiseworthy. I know you’re tired, Little Sister, so I’ll let you get to bed. Remember what I said….focus on the blessings…the good things in life. Sweet dreams….”
Ok, ok….huge paraphrasing on my part, but do you see what I’m saying? Think of all the great things that have happened in your life. If some certain Mondays had never rolled around, I wouldn’t be married to my wonderful husband….I would still be expecting my children (almost eleven years of pregnancy…ugh!)…I would have missed out on Thanksgiving with all my mother’s family last year…payday would not come…the kids’ Christmas concerts wouldn’t make their way into my life. Maybe we should change our view of Mondays. Rather than thinking about the weekend being over, maybe we should consider the blessings. We have another week of surprises headed our way! There are blessings just waiting for us to find them…some will jump out at us, but what about the hidden ones…the beauty of the sunset each night….the trees that are changing colors…the hugs we have yet to give and receive from those we love…the giggles of a child…the hands we will hold this week…the hidden ones are some of the most special.
So…as Monday rolls around, think on, and look for, that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy….and give Him all glory and praise as He allows your light to shine in this world.
I think I’ll close this chat with you in the same manner that Paul closed his chat with the church in Philippi: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you and with your spirit. Amen.
