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Day 88: May Your Joy Overflow!



June 11, 2020

 Do you ever have one of those days that from the time your bare feet hit the floor, you are swamped with things to do; a day that comes with a list so long that you know there is no way to get it all done?  When I have a day like that ahead of me, I have to get into “fighting mode”.  Not fighting like quarreling but fighting like “attacking the day”.  In my mind I’m like, “Ok, Thursday, bring it on!  I can do all of this by sunset!”  On days like this, I want to just grab my coffee and drink it while I get dressed, brush my teeth and hair and GO!  But something I have learned in the last 87 days of writing this blog is that finding this time to pray, read, listen and write will make my day go WAY better.  On paper, if I plan out my day, I do not have time for this, but when I make the time, the rest of the day goes more smoothly, and I have a lot more joy in my heart.  This kind of reminds me of how my mom used to say, “Eat something for breakfast.  It is the most important meal of the day.”  I had a million excuses why I did not want or need to eat breakfast.  But somewhere in my 50’s I finally picked up this habit and I could give you a list of reasons why I now agree with my mom.  Too bad I waited so long to listen to her and make the time for that.  And now I have added another activity to my morning (spending quality time with God) and I’m finally sold on the importance of starting the day out right.  We wouldn’t swim in a pool with no water.  We cannot drive a car with no gas.  So, why do we try to navigate our day without first filling our spiritual tank with God’s glory-strength?  “Powering through” a day using God’s strength and not our own, renews our energy and rather than just “enduring” our day, we feel joyful as we whittle away at our “list”.  Not only do we feel that joy, but it over flows and we are able to share it with others.  Picture an empty little swimming pool and then imagine one where the hose was left on, so that clear cool water spills over into the grass.  Which is more appealing?  So, even if you only have a little time, do something for you at the beginning of each day!  Fill up your tank as much as you can and then maybe stop and refuel throughout the day with a quick prayer or an uplifting song.  Do not just endure your day, enjoy your day!  Here is the verse that inspired this blog: Colossians 1: 11-12 (The Message Bible) “We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.”  I hope you read that verse again and that your day spills over with joy!  Smile and be joyful! 
Here's an uplifting song for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnmWwudeqfM&list=RDAnmWwudeqfM&start_radio=1

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