This morning I woke up...crabby. Yes, I admit it...REALLY crabby. You know what? I accepted that I was crabby the minute that I woke up. It didn't help that I have a slight cold and that I didn't sleep well last night. In fact, I can think of at least five really good reasons to be crabby today. So I guess it's alright...
I went to my Bible study this morning. Because of my rather foul mood, I sort of dragged my way in. I knew that I would keep my daughter with me instead of nursery, because she too, has a slight cold. Today was our Believing God wrap-up/ Christmas celebrations with the ladies of Boise First. My listening skills were immediately challenged by my rambunctious, nearly two year old little girl, who, with a gleam in her eye, started wiggling and attempting to free herself from my grasp. I soon found myself alternating holding her in the back of the room and letting her run free out in the hallway. This activity did not lighten my mood, instead, I'm sure I became even more grumpy...
During one of the moments where Rylee was calmly allowing me to hold her, a dear friend of mine stood up to address the group. Almost instantly, I felt a perceptible electricity in the air. It was like Christ was saying, "listen to this". I was immediately amazed at her humility and courage to address this group, baring all. Her testimony was raw, rich, real and beautiful. Many of her words reflected experiences and thoughts in my life. Christ has worked in my life in very similar ways as my friend and yet both of our stories are unique to us. Wow!
And still I left church grumpy...
My whole day was grumpy, I was not cheerful to my children and I wasn't cheerful to myself... When my husband came home from work, I wasn't particularly cheerful to him. Kind of a ugly circle... Have you ever had a day like this?
So tonight, I ran to the book store to get some stationary for our family Christmas letter (don't worry, I didn't write it today). While I was there, I picked up a book, a journaling tool actually, written by Max Lucado. The first couple of pages sort of knocked me on the head...
Every morning, we are given a choice... Because of God sacrificing His son, Jesus, on the cross, each of us are
free to choose how we face each new day. Today, I failed, but by the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ I have another opportunity to choose tomorrow.
I pray that tomorrow
I choose Love...
I choose Joy...
I choose Peace...
I choose Patience...
I choose Kindness...
I choose Goodness...
I choose Faithfulness...
I choose Gentleness...
I choose Self-control...
"To these I commit my day,"
Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment Journal"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Galatians 5:22-26 NIV
