Choices and Checklists

At 9:05 last Thursday morning, I sat on the side of the road with this….

I had taken William to camp and had wonderful plans to enjoy coffee and biscuits with friends (see #5 on this post to understand my love for this little place). But then, *insert sigh*, I heard an actual pop as I turned the corner. I knew that dreaded flat tire sound before I’d even pulled over to see what happened.

This moment could have been my chance to practice what I had just preached to William the night before about choices and choosing our attitude output, no matter the input….

Y’all, I’d love for this post to be titled “3 Quick Ways to Change your Attitude” – or even to say that I made the “right choice” with my attitude – but that would be a big, fat, hairy lie. 

In reality, I didn’t walk to get coffee from another place while I waited on Roadside Service, and I was incredibly irritated at a miscommunication with a service person that was unrelated to the flat tire.  A few hours later, I fumed about the cash back offer I was given at Half Price Books, and that evening I was almost in tears feeling slighted by a group communication.  The cherry on top? The day ended with me soaked to the bone in an unexpected rain shower while I walked the dog. It was, as Alexander so aptly phrased it, “a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day”.

I tried and tried all day to flip the choice switch.  I held my smile and listed all the things that were silver linings.  I recognized in the grand scheme of life none of these things will matter.  I know many who have really hard things to face – way bigger than a little car trouble and getting wet in the rain.  I have so much for which to be thankful and grateful!  

But, can I be really vulnerable here and let you peek into my heart for a minute? I do this thing sometimes when I’m having bad day – and maybe you do it, too?

I assume it’s because of something bad I’ve done (even if I can’t think of what that might be) or that I’m somehow on the receiving end of some sort of punishment from God.  I immediately go to a mental checklist to make sure I’m doing all the things that keep me in “good graces.”  Have I been reading my Bible? Well, yes, but I didn’t do it before I left the house this morning.  Have I been praying? Well, yes, but maybe I’m not praying hard enough or for the right things.  Have I been kind of people? Well, pretty much.  Well, maybe I was too short with William or Jerry earlier this week.  The checklist could go on….

This checklist place is where I try to earn God’s favor – or prove that I’m “good enough” for His favor – or at least an easy life that could outwardly appear to be His favor.

Y’all, and I’m talking especially to myself here, God isn’t like that.  He doesn’t sit up on His throne and dole out flat tires if we don’t spend 15 minutes with our Bibles open and our eyes closed.  Or have the cashier at HPB give you only half of what you think your books might be worth if you forgot someone from your prayer list.  Or make it rain on you if you listened to 80s hair bands on your walk instead of the Christian radio station.  He cares about our relationship, our journey, and that we are moving toward Him.  He calls us to a “holy life – not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace.” (1 Timothy 1:9)

Hear me say, I’m not saying we shouldn’t do these “good” things.  We should; we are called to “pursue righteousness” (1 Timothy 2:22) and our actions reflect where we want our heart to be.  I’m just saying, when we start viewing them as a checklist that keep us from having bad days, we might skate dangerously close to thinking we are earning God’s love and mercy.   

Friends, I have to admit that some days I’m more grateful than others that His mercies are new each morning.  When I went to bed on Thursday night, I rested on that promise. 

“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, and His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

So, the next time you have a day like Alexander’s, “a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day,” be reminded: His love and faithfulness is greater. 

Blessings and Reminders of His Grace and Mercy – Bethany 🙂