Each Day Is A Blessing
Psalm 91:11 - For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in
all your ways. (NKJV)
Ever feel like filler in the sandwich of life? There are days when everything
seems to be scrunching me out of place, till I'm totally surrounded by the
world's demands and am only trying to squeeze more into my time and my mind than
I can realistically achieve. These are the days when I feel like the filler.
One evening, friends called to say that they were in the neighbourhood and
wanted to drop by for a cuppa. I had strawberries, ice cream, and cookies, but I
needed something else. Why not bake some biscuits? I thought, and hurried to get
these made and in the oven so they'd be nice and hot on the arrival of our
guests. However, my mind being on overload and my rushing to finish the task
left me with the feeling that I was forgetting something. Quit being so silly!
You've made biscuits millions of times. Why, you could do this in your sleep! I
scolded and assured myself at the same time. But still...
Our doorbell rang just as I popped the baking sheet full of freshly made
biscuits into the oven. We exchanged greetings and chatted while the coffee
perked. I peeked in the oven and saw that my usually very high biscuits were
barely risen. The knot in my stomach reminded me about my earlier thought that I
was forgetting something. Baking powder! I had forgotten the baking powder! I
pulled the baking sheet out of the oven and tried to poke some baking powder
into the half-baked biscuits! This was futile and foolish!
Needless to say, I had to start all over again, and this time, I paid close
attention to what I was doing.
That evening after our friends left, having enjoyed the freshly-made biscuits,
strawberries, and ice cream, I thought back over the events of my day. I was
trying to do too much, and I hadn't added the main ingredient needed to ensure a
success! Because I hadn't spent time in prayer or Bible reading that morning, I
was feeling like the filler in a sandwich, and so the day squeezed me out of
shape! Oh, I'd asked God to guide me safely home, help me get dinner ready on
time, and bring my family back together safely at supper time, but like the
baking powder, I was trying to poke God into my planned day as the tasks were
being done. I hadn't given my family, tasks, or day to Him to guide as He chose
for His glory.
I couldn't start over for that particular day, but tomorrow, I'd take the time
to read my Bible and pray first. I'd pay close attention and ask Him to guide
every detail and event of my day. After all, without Him, my day is only another
schedule to get through so that I can say it's completed. There is no real sense
of accomplishment, because I'm feeling put upon and hurried with a to-do list
only!
The days I choose to begin my day with prayer and meditation on the Word are
easier and less stressful. Oh, problems may arise and difficulties may present
obstacles and challenges, but with Him, I can accomplish far more than I ever
dreamed possible.
Humbly, I bowed my head and thanked Him for second chances, and third and fourth
ones. I'll probably have another day when I try to poke God into my plans, but
as He promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b NKJV) I
know that He'll be waiting for me to pause long enough to invite Him to take
control.
We are on a journey of faith and we have the best Guide. Let's allow Him to lead
us, and enjoy the wonders of living each day in expectation and joy.
Prayer: Father God, we are Your children. We sometimes run on ahead of You and
expect our day to unfold instead of unravel. Thank You that You are constantly
with us, and with Your help, we can choose to follow in Your paths and have a
purpose. We love You. Thank You for loving us! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Lauretta Balderston laure@eastlink.ca
Kensington, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca