SEIZE THE DAY

The last few days, amidst my very blessed duties of wife, mommy, and ministry, I found myself feeling extra tired (due to a few sleepless nights). Unlike any other time in my life, I craved sleep. Then I read this morning from Spurgeon that if light and darkness divided time in the first day (Genesis 1:5), it is only natural to expect, "changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the midnight of adversity."

Of course those circumstances did not qualify for anything like a "midnight of adversity", but rather a feeling of sinking into the mire of the mundane when I really wanted to be heroically tackling the urgent and important demands of the day. Rather, this was the time for me to remember that whatever our sovereign Father ordains is wise and good! Regardless of the circumstances, I am learning that I need to crave contentment more than achievement, and to rejoice in His divine order.

"There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset, sing of it, and glorify the Lord. . . . Believe that the night is as useful as the day."

What if our three children could learn from us the song of thanksgiving even during adversity? At any given hour of the day in our home, one will hear the sound of our children singing, and Eric and I often hear them quietly singing themselves to sleep at night (yes even Jack, if cooing can pass for singing). What a delight! However, when Sofia-Maree gets an "owie" or Braydon misses his cherished nap and things don't go his way, how readily tears often replace the song.

May Eric and I strive to teach them to sing whether it's "the mingled song of judgment and mercy, trial and deliverance, of mourning and delight"! What a wonderful way to seize the day as we keep watch and hope for the absolute and greatest surprise of all, the return of our Savior!

"Every hour has its duty, do thou continue in thy calling as the Lord's servant until he shall suddenly appear in his glory."

- Yvonne