Tonight when Emerald had just laid down in her bed, she was going through her regular round of questions. It must be so disorienting to be three and to never know what day it is or what is coming up. She meant to say, What are we going to do when we wake up tomorrow? But, instead she asked, What are we going to do IF we wake up tomorrow?
My mouth answered in the usual way: We’re going to eat some breakfast and watch Mickey Mouse and do some laundry…
But, my heart was stuck on her question: What are we going to do if we wake up tomorrow?
I thought about how many days that I waste. I mean, really, completely waste. I waste them being irritated by my favorite people. Holding a grudge against my husband for some insignificant comment. Longing for solitude when I am so needed by my children. Dreading good things that I need to do. Trying to avoid good things that I ought to volunteer for.
But, even those of us in the throes of parenting, even those of us who are too busy, who are stressed, who are stretched thin, must remember that every single day that we wake up on this Earth is a gift from God. And, there is great, eternal meaning in every day of our lives, if only we will stop focusing on ourselves long enough to see it, to appreciate it, to embrace it.
In my spirit the question keeps bobbing like a beacon in the dark: What will we do if we wake up tomorrow?
I pray we make the most of our existence, to the glory of God.
Thank you for putting that challenge in front of me. IF I never meet you on Earth, I look forward to hugging you in Heaven, but I’ll go ahead and tell you now how thankful I am for your wonderful words of life each day!
Thanks so much for this, Laura!
Amen- needed that.
Thanks, Martha!
When you were 6, I taught you how to read, write , and do arithmetic. Now that you are grown, you are giving me a gift of Christian understanding and love. Thank you Melissa.
Mrs. Burleson! What a gift you gave me! Thank you so much for this beautiful thought.
Such a beautiful reminder. Thank you.