By Bruce Smith
Significant
Back when I was much younger, our family became friends with Reverend Walter Reasoner. Reverend Reasoner left a successful early career on Wall Street to become a pastor. Besides ministering to a church some miles from us, he became a meaningful influence on us. I remember his resonant voice beginning a church service with the words, “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Over the years that verse has remained with me and even sits on my desk. For this week, I thought I’d share a couple thoughts about it.
First, I’ll admit that I have not followed that instruction on many days over the years. And probably I’ve missed some opportunities for more happiness by doing so. But, as we know, life can sometimes be trying. But let’s think about what beginning each day with this verse in mind might mean. The first recognition is that it is a gift from God with which we are blessed. God’s love is first in foremost in providing this unique 24 hours open to life’s experiences. He is the founder and grounder of our existence and he is looking out for us in providing this day.
That recognition may inspire us to a moment of thankfulness. We are blessed with a new day and new opportunities. We can appreciate the blessing of this day and so much else comes from God, a God who is happy to give us our lives and so much in them. That, itself, is enough to add comfort and hope to our morning.
There is the encouragement to approach this new day with an attitude of joy and expectation. Given the onslaught of negativity we so often find around us, what a different attitude this can engender! Rather than dwelling on the usual litany of problems, dangers, and dire predictions we can approach this new day with a smile and a bounce in our step. And isn’t it often said that your attitude and smile can be a positive on those around you? We can take our sense of appreciation and joy and pass it along to those around us.
We can also rejoice in the wonder that is our life. That in the endless universe we exist with our incredibly intricate bodies and their interactions of chemicals, nerves, muscles and, even now we learn, the host of bacteria that comprise our existence. Each day can start with the recognition of the wonder that we are and appreciation for the God that produced us.
And, when it comes down to it, this is the only day that we’re sure that we have. So why not fill it with rejoicing, thankfulness and as much happiness as we can?
I’ll try to do better by starting my day with a moment to think of this verse and hope that you can benefit from it as well.