Give yourself a break!

So, how's your day going so far?  Yeah, that can be a loaded question.  Some of us are back to the daily grinds at work, where it seems, perhaps, as though the end is never in sight.  Others see all of that laundry piled up, waiting to be washed--along with the load still in the dryer and, come to think of it, the dishes are still in the dishwasher waiting to be properly placed as well.

Can I ask you to stop for just a moment, 60 seconds, and just pause.  Be still.  Take a deep breath.  If a window is nearby, gaze out towards it and remember this:  This is the day that the Lord has made.  This one!  Right at this very moment our heavenly and oh-so-sweet Lord is resting on His throne, and guess what friends?  He's got it all under control!  Yeah, life has a way of weighing down on us but only if we let it.  Relax!    

Okay.  You've looked outside and been still for 20 seconds or so and are itching to get back to it but wait!  There's still another part to do--the better part.  For you see, there's a second portion to this verse that goes like this:  let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Mmn hmn.  Shout glory or hallelujah!  Someone may look at you funnily but what else is new?  Whisper a quiet thanks.  Murmur a silent prayer but not of "Help me, God" but instead "Thank You, Lord."  After all, you have clothes to wear, right?  Some don't.  Dishes to put up means you probably have been eating.  There are many out there begging for what you scraped off of those plates.  You have a job to go to so you can help to provide for your family.  Some can't even get off of the couch.  Mostly though?  You've got a God that loves you beyond measure.  He's numbered your very hairs and notices each tear, each sigh, each unutterable prayer.

Okay, 10 seconds left.  Take another deep breath.  Exhale slowly.  Smile at someone randomly and see the unexpected joy you just put in his/her life by this teeny little act of kindness.  By now, my prayer is that you are smiling too!

Not bad for a minute of your time, huh?  Let's do it again soon!