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When something (like snow) changes your plans, you have a choice. You can resist and regret and resent what you can’t change (which is exhausting and not particularly fruitful), or you can accept it arms-wide-open and see what happens next.
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. . . .” AA Serenity Prayer
“We are powerless . . . , but our eyes are on You.” 2 Chronicles 20:12
Today will probably be one task after another. You could say a quick thank-you after you finish each one, or you could just push doggedly from one to the other (and wonder tonight why you didn’t get more done).
“I will give thanks to You. . . .” Psalm 139:14
“The actors undoubtedly needed to hear our gratitude, but what brought us to our feet was our need to express gratitude. Expressing gratitude completes the experience.” Br. Curtis Almquist
How would it feel if somebody invited you to give yourself permission to enjoy one thing at a time today?
“Why not give up multi-tasking and try focusing on one thing at a time? . . . [T]ry to be fully present, appreciating every aspect of the task before [you], and giving thanks to God for the skill to do it. . . . [G]ive yourself permission to enjoy the task.” Br. David Vryhoff
“Rejoice. . . . Give thanks. . . .” 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18
This morning, I was breathing easily until I read an email about giving a present to somebody related to somebody I resent. All of a sudden, I could tell that the air in my kitchen was poisonous. That email was like the canary in the mine shaft.
“[God] doesn’t treat us as our faults and offences deserve. . . . He separates us from our transgressions as far as the east is separated from the west.” Psalm 103:10, 12
Father, I’ve been collecting this person’s faults and offences for so long that I don’t even like the idea of You doing the opposite. I don’t want to breathe this poisonous air any more.
Going into a day (or a movie or a marriage or a conversation) with expectations is just another way of saying my-will-be-done. It’s deciding beforehand that I will only enjoy life if what I expect to happen happens. Since it usually doesn’t, I think I’ll experiment with expecting nothing today -- deciding beforehand to enjoy everything.
“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall enjoy everything.” St. Francis of Assisi
“Thy will be done. . . .” Matthew 6:10
“My will be done. . . .” Elizabeth Fitch (sometimes)
If you expect to be content as soon as (you get well or go on vacation or get out of the messy relationship or whatever), you will probably miss many small wonders today.
“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.” Helen Keller
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11
