This morning dawned bright and early pretty much like every other weekday morning. The alarm went off at 5:15. I hit the snooze and slept nine more minutes before getting out of bed.
It was a good wake up. My feet hit the floor firm. I stood tall and walked with eyes wide open to the bathroom to start my daily routine. Not all mornings start this way. Yesterday I was stooped over, stumbling my away across the bedroom floor, feeling for the light switch, and squinting my eyes in the blinding glare.
I don’t know what makes one morning easier than another. Last night I went to bed at the same time. I was woken up at least three times by Cady trying to crawl into bed with us (finally relenting that third time). For some reason it was just a good morning. Well it was a good morning until it was time to wake up Cady.
“Come on sweetie. It is time to wake up. You need to go take a shower.” She had asked to take a morning shower the night before. I went back into the bathroom to blow dry my hair. When I was finished, I stuck my head into the bedroom to find her still sleeping.
“Out of bed! Right now. It’s time to get up.”
{Insert incoherent grumbling.}
“Right now!”
“Mom! I’m sleepy. I don’t want to get up! You.NEVER.let.me.sleep!”
Awwww no. I don’t think so. I’m not a morning person to begin with so it doesn’t take a lot to set me off, and she just stepped in it. I spent the next minute explaining to her about who didn’t let who sleep and who would most definitely be going to bed early tonight no.matter.what!
That simple thing flipped my switch. The rest of the morning I was an angry, grumbling, anxious, nasty mess. I snapped at David. I snapped at the kids. I snapped at myself. It wasn’t pretty. I came really close to sending out a “Tuesday can suck it” tweet. Really the only thing that stopped me was that I was short on time.
I finally got the kids dropped off at school. I was driving in grumbling and complaining to myself. Then another switch flipped.
I looked out the window at the beautiful morning. Bright blue skies filled with white fluffy clouds. Everything seems to be washed clean with all the rain we’ve been having. It was just beautiful, and that was when I realized… this is a day that God has made. I can moan, bitch, and complain, or I can choose to rejoice and be glad in it*.
Today I choose to rejoice. I have no reason really. I may not even rejoice the entire day. My aunt gets her results back from the hospital today. We may get really bad news. But regardless of what happens, I can look at the sky, I can open my heart, and I know that God is at work.
Today I choose to rejoice.
*These are words from one of my favorite hymns, but they are also from Psalms 118:24. Sometimes they just pop into my head. Usually when I need them most. I guess that means God hasn’t given up on me yet.
Thanks for this. I can totally relate. And it is so timely, we are walking with friends through a valley and there is a lot to rejoice in. Even so.
Sometimes it is very hard to rejoice, but it is always worth it.
Thank you for this post. I am the same way; I can wake up in a great mood and then the smallest thing can just turn it around. But I’m trying to do better and to realize that there is so much MORE to be thankful for and that I have so many more reasons to be happy.
We all really do have SO many reasons to be happy. Sometimes it is just hard to see them.
Oh you KNOW He never will!
I love that He changed your attitude for the day. Amazing.
I love to be reminded that He holds me in His right hand.
Beautiful post. I get that switch flipping thing — happens to me all the time. And when it switches from good to cranky I always wish I could find the manual over-ride back to good. But sometimes it’s hard. Glad you found some joy in your day.
I’ll be praying for your aunt. I’m newly in remission from cancer and I know how terrifying waiting for those results is… thinking of her, and you.
-Ellie
Thank you. We got really good news yesterday! She is cancer free.
Oh man, I know what you mean about the snapping and crankiness. Was living that myself yesterday.
So glad you found a way to turn things around. And even more glad y’all got good news about your aunt this afternoon.
I am so, so happy. We definitely have reasons to rejoice today!
I let something like that negatively impact my day today for quite awhile too. Then I shook it off – you are so right. We need to make the choice.
Sometimes it really is all about the choice.
That is one of our favorite hymns too. My girls and I walk around singing it without even realizing sometimes. I’m happy you looked up, saw the clouds and found the beauty of life…even if it can’t last the whole day. YOU made it happen when your heart needed it.
My thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with you and your family.
I hate that switch. It’s so hard for me to switch it back.
You are totally right.
Just depends on how and what we want to do with that day.
=)