What Makes My Day

I'm gonna take a minute during my lunch break to share something that hit me personally during my mom's small group this past week.

It was this idea or question I need to ask myself - what am I using as my measuring stick to determine if I've had a "successful" day? Is it my to-do list that I, myself, am compiling of needs I've perceived (which may be very valid or completely distorted)? Or am I asking myself, "did you love God today and love others around?"

Practical work has to be done. Diapers must be changed, laundry needs to be done, etc.

BUT at the end of the day, am I allowing those practical things to determine whether or not my day was a success? Or am I allowing things that have eternal benefit to determine that?

I still need to do those practical things, but I don't need to allow that to determine anything except that my child will not have diaper rash and that my family will have clothes that are clean. It does not mean that I am a good mom - I could do practical things all day long and totally ignore my child's emotional needs. I could iron my husband's shirts for work so he looks more professional, but I could then disrespect him continually in front of my child by 'over-ruling' what he just said. Yes, my to-do list can have tons of check marks and lines crossing through tasks, but are they really accomplishing what I'm ultimately going for? A family, strong and united in Christ. A loving, healthy marriage that's defined by the Bible, not my culture? A personal walk with the Lord where I recognize every moment of every day how much I need the GRACE of God to do anything worth anything.

"I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do NOTHING." -John 15:5)

I'd love a formula - man oh man, I would. But I think the closest thing that we, as believers, have been given is that question - did I love God today and did I love others?

Did I love God today? Was I obedient to what I know of His Word and what I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to do.

Did I love others? Was I available for the ones the Lord put on my path, did I extend grace and compassion and His Truth? Did I pray & help carry someone else's burden today?

Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

I don't know that this can be applied to every situation, but I think a good gauge for me is asking myself:

Did I rely on the Lord today for the things that I did?
Did what I do today require faith that God would speak through me, move through me?
What were the motivations of my heart? the condition of my heart?

Or was my day based on my to-do list that I can accomplish - yes, through the abilities God has given me- but that I did on my own, without consultation, with prayer, Jenny-powered, life-less.

Apart from Me, you can do nothing.

(Does my heart really believe that?)


Anyways, still need to meditate on this, but wanted to throw it down on virtual paper so that maybe I will mull over it long enough for the Lord to continue to give me some insight & change my heart & mind. 

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 
- 1 Corinthians 13:10

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." -Colossians 3:17