This morning started out like most, coffee and a quick breakfast for my sweetie before his workday, quiet time with my Lord and His Word and a scroll through Facebook. My attention turned to the list of things that needed to be done, my mind flipping them in order to maximize efficiency and expediency.
Left on it’s own, the human heart and mind can so easily become deceived.
Walking through the bedroom, gathering items for the laundry, I spotted a new layer of dust, less a smudgy fingerprint, on the dresser. Mental eye-roll. Add that to the list. Pausing in the bathroom to tuck things away in the cabinet, a glance in the mirror revealed toothpaste splatter and new chin-hair to pluck. Seriously?
Start a load of darks, strip the bed and notice the floor needs to be vacuumed. Again. Walk back towards the laundry room and spy the refrigerator needs to be wiped down. Dust bunnies are having babies in the corner by the dryer.
Reorder the tasks, and fret that I won’t be done before Mark gets home for lunch. I want the afternoon freed up to work on other things. My mind feels rushed and harassed. How pointless and mundane, these daily unending chores.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they obecame futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21
How easily we can slip and miss the blessings. A flutter in my soul as God whispers a reminder to be joyful, thankful and grateful. Instead of tasks, my heart lists the blessings that surround, wrap me up and overflow. Minor miracles that woven together are a testimony to a loving God who keeps on pouring out mercy and grace on one so undeserving, who provides and saves and works all things for our good and His glory. In an instant, He helps me reposition my heart and mind with a spirit of renewed joy. I had to stop and praise Him, as I retraced the blessings of the last few hours.
I awoke, breath in my lungs, alongside a hard-working faithful man who loves God and loves me. I rested well in a soft bed. There’s food available. Oh, and coffee!! We live in a house with all the luxuries of modern American life, in a free country where I am safe to live my faith boldly. I have precious time and can choose how to order my day. My legs carry me from room to room, my eyes see, my arms and hands are useful and strong. I have clothing for my body and furniture to place them in. Clean running water flows directly into my home with which I can clean, cook and bathe. Electric tools make household tasks quick and easy. Electricity powers them.
And I have the peace of God who knows me inside out, from beginning to end and loves me anyway. The Spirit of the Lord dwells within me, He never lets me slip away into ungratefulness. His patience is constant, His mercy has no end.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15–17
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