"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
This time last week I was at the end of a long day full of many frustrations. I allowed myself to get so caught up in those frustrations that I focused on the frustrations and not the many good things of the day. I was doing everything except rejoice in the day the Lord had given to me.
As I crawled in bed that night, I had that moment of revelation. You know the one... where you suddenly realize that you've allowed your focus to shift away from God. It's that moment where you realize if you would have turned it over to God from the very beginning that it would have all turned out so differently. For me, it's that moment where I just want to knock myself upside the head because I've been there so many times that you would think I would know what needs to be done by now.
I fell asleep that night praying. Asking God to forgive me for moving so far away during the day and completely turning over to Him the frustrations of the day.
I woke up the next morning feeling better than I had all week. I had slept better than I had in several nights. Gone were the feelings of frustration and in its place was a peace and calmness. As I backed out of my driveway the song, "New Day" by Avalon came on the radio. I don't doubt for even one minute that God fully intended for me to hear that song at that exact moment. Here are the lyrics to the first verse...
Lookin' back on yesterday
There are things that I regret
But I put the past behind me
And I never will forget
You have covered my mistakes
And my broken dreams
Now over the horizon
I see the dawn is drawing near
And I realize the sun did rise
Tomorrow's finally here
Isn't God good? When we do turn it all over, He takes it and carries it for us. He replaces our discouragement, our frustrations, our disappointments, with peace and comfort and a love that is unending and neverfailing.
Since that day last week, God has shown me in many ways the gift He has given us with each new day. A new day to start over, a new day to be with family and friends, a new day to love and serve Him, and new day to reach out to this hurting world in which we live.
I am thankful for new days. I am thankful for God's love, for God's peace, for God's comfort.
What are you thankful for today? You can join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week by visiting Iris at "Grace Alone...".
20 Thoughts Shared:
Oh! I've done this so many times and it seems especially lately day after day! I'm so thankful that God still loves me and knows that I want to do good even if I can't seem to ever get it together(b/c I've been trying to do it on my own). Thanks for this great post!
Thanks for your grateful heart sweetie.
i can well relate to that too. when we give our hurts, our frustrations to God, He will replace all those with goodness, love, peace and comfort. He gives much more.
God bless you, melanie.
What surprises me is how I still keep committing this same mistake again and again. Agh! It's a wonder how God can tirelessly forgive and remind me again... like through your post today. Thanks.
Please click here for mine.
I am thankful for new days too! I love it when things work out like this. ~
I totally understand. It's like you get swept up into it and continue to roll with the frustrations. Glad you're doing better. God is so gracious to us isn't He?? Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your day.
I love how you wrote that you could have knocked yourself upside your head. That's something I can identify with too. Like ...duh.
I'm going to have to listen to Avalon's song. The words are great.
Happy TT!
Blessings,
Debbie
Yes I do know how you feel. How is it that I am as old as I am and yet STILL forget to do what I should have just done in the first place and give it all to Him? Thanks for this. Have a wonderful day. Blessings, Debbie
I've been there so many times. I keep finding areas to practice grace...oiy! Blessings to you.
I think exhaustion at the end of the day leaves me making choices I wish I wouldn't have, but oh, how thankful I am for new mercies every morning. I LOVE Avalon!!
Melanie - God is so gracious and full of mercy!
I love how we can be so unfaithful and He remains FAITHFUL!
I love how He brings us so close to Him just by our humble hearts!
Praising Him for your rest in Him!
Blessings and love,
Jill
Melanie,
I am going to have to look up that song to listen to it. I don't recognize the lyrics. Isn't it wonderful how perfect God's timing is in even the little things like a song on the radio exactly at the right time.
This fits so perfectly with the theme Iris chose this week too.
God bless,
Bethany
I've been guilty of doing the same things, Melanie...I try to do things on my own instead of allowing God to show me the way.
I'm so thankful that God never gives up on me....even when I stumble!
Hi, Melanie. Thanks for sharing this very encouraging testimony. Thank God for His goodness to you. Many times I get carried away too with the challenges in life and become frustrated and discouraged. Thank God for bringing us back to Himself and giving us peace in Him.
Thanks for your visit and encouragement. It is very encouraging to hear from you. I hope to catch up with you when I am better. Please take care.
With appreciation and prayers,
Nancie
Thankful with you! A new day cometh! Maybe on the new day, I won't get all grumbly at the grocery store:)!
Wow... we really are on the same page! What a mess I made of yesterday; better today; shooting for the moon tomorrow!
So thankful for new days, new beginnings.
peace~elaine
That's awesome! I'm so thankful for His perfect peace!!! It does surpass all understanding, doesn't it?
Great list to be thankful for Melanie!
God Bless!
Amen to that Melanie. I have had often had a morning where just a song came on that I needed to hear - 'love notes from God' one of my friends calls them :)
We do get sometimes sidetracked with the ups-and-downs of daily life. I am glad that you had the night to pray before going to sleep :)
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us.
Love & peace,
Iris
The Lord is so faithful dear sister. Thank you for sharing your life and heart of gratitude.
I am so grateful to the LORD for Who He is and all that He means to my life.
I'm grateful for you!
Post a Comment