Last week, we had Nancy’s funeral. Knowing Nancy the way I did, instead of wearing black to the graveside, I chose to wear a beautiful green sports coat to symbolize life. I had not worn this coat for at least seven years.
Early on the morning of the funeral, I went to the closet in the back of the house, where I keep clothes I rarely wear. I pulled out the green sports coat, hung it in the back seat of my truck, and didn’t give it a second thought. I should have.
When I got to the cemetery, I opened the back door of the truck and pulled the green sports coat off the hanger. That was the first time I really looked at it. The sports coat was sprinkled with holes eaten by moths. This meant doing Nancy’s internment without wearing a sports coat. All I could think was, it was going to be one of those days.
Yesterday was my day off. I decided to take the skid steer to one of the stock tanks to clean it out. I knew I had to be careful because, even tracks can get stuck in the wet muck of a stock tank. Sure enough, I got stuck. To make matters worse, my truck couldn’t pull it out. Shannon’s tractor was too small for that hard a job, my tractor was waiting on a part to be delivered, and my neighbor would have helped but he was in San Antonio. All I could think was, it was going to be one of those days.
This morning when I got up, I turned on my phone to check emails. There was a mile of them, each needing an immediate response. All I could think was, it’s going to be one of those days.
Just for the record, we all have those sorts of days. That’s life. It happens to all of us. It’s not that the unplanned, unexpected, and unwanted doesn’t happen. It does. It’s what we do with it that matters.
At Nancy’s graveside service, as I stood there looking like the biggest dufus in the history of dufuses, I realized Nancy would have enjoyed the unpredictability of the day. I was certain she was laughing. This made it a wonderful experience.
Yesterday, when I sank my skid steer, Shannon drove up laughing and taking pictures. Her lighthearted way of dealing with my incompetence, reminded me the world will keep turning. Also, the part for my tractor is scheduled to arrive this afternoon and I will be able to pull the skid steer out of the mud.
This morning, in looking at the mile long list of emails, once I answer them, life will be a lot easier.
As you start this new day, remember God made it. There will be opportunities and challenges. It’s how you look at them that matters most.
The psalmist said, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please take my hand and walk me through this day. When I encounter challenges, remind me of your power, grace, and love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Today is going to be one of those days. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 