Tuesday, April 26, 2011

It's an Off Day

Everything about today has seemed off. My alarm didn't go off--at least I don't think it did, but I'm suspicious that I turned it off in a groggy state of unconsciousness. Hence, no Bible reading, early morning sipping of coffee, feeling of preparedness for the pitter patter of feet as they hit the floor running. No, it was me fixing breakfast in my PJ's, or rather, telling Julia how much cereal to pour (cooking breakfast is her new excitement in life). It was me trailing behind Landis and collecting his spilled cheerios, chasing him down with his shoes before he ran outside, confiscating the bug spray that he was sucking on behind my back, and packing up the rest of my utensils into a big box. So today, may I say it again, is an off day.

I'm sure many things have contributed to this, one of the main things being that our kitchen is going "under destruction," tomorrow, as Amaleah likes to call it. So my pantry is in my living room, and don't ask me where everything else is (I'm not sure myself). Of course, I could have gone to bed earlier last night, and therefore may have been alert enough to hear my alarm this morning.

But if I'm true to the truth, mostly I think it was the lack of being in God's Word. Seriously, I have felt myself falling back on my own strength for things today, things like parenting with a gentle and kind spirit. I felt myself literally having to pull those somewhat kind and slightly gently words out of the depths of my soul when I was speaking to one of my children about something this morning. And it dawned on me how much I have grown to depend on the Lord for the details of my life, and how when I abandon His Word I truly can feel it (although, truth be known, He definitely has not abandoned me, whatsoever).

A little devotional for you, from a verse that was mentioned to me by my dear sister in law...
"...walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with 
joy; giving thanks to the Father..."
(Colossians 1: 10-12a)

So...what this means for you and me, simplified:
1) grow in Him (read the Word--don't give up on it)
2) KNOW that you as a believer in Christ are filled with His glorious power (the Holy Spirit!)...awesome.
3) that power is strong enough to give you patience (to face the circumstances) and longsuffering (with people) and joy (through it all).
4) Be thankful....period.



3 comments:

Heather Pelczar said...

I read this before I left the house this morning. And then had my own off day when I got to the base (already late for an appt.) only to realize i had forgotten my Military ID at home. My husband had to "sponsor me on" (he had to leave work to come meet me). It was then that we found out my Driver's license had expired (last year) so he then had to drive me to my appt. (late). I got a little wound up. Then I came home and read this again, because I thought of it (and you) often. lol

Unknown said...

nice. glad we could be partners in off days!

darcie said...

thanks for the post about "off days"; we all have them.
the scripture you shared is part of my memory work in Colossians this year and I've been praying that passage for you and for many dear ones. the ESV says, for all endurance and patience with joy. those 3 simple words carry such meaning.
blessings