THOSE Days

 Good morning, and welcome.

I’m sure you’ve had days when you’re ready and eager to get up and take on the activities and events of the day.  You have energy.  You feel good.  Things are going smoothly.  You feel like you’re ready for whatever comes your way.  Your step is light and your cup is full.

Then there are the other days.  Those days when you struggle a bit to get out of bed.  Those days when your energy level is close to “E”.  Those days when you know you’ll have to face events and situations you know you won’t like.  THOSE DAYS.  For some reason, your mental and emotional reserves have been depleted.  You’re running on fumes and need a refill.

And sometimes you know the day before that the next day could well be one of those days.  One of those days when you know you’ll be engaging something or someone that you’d rather not engage.  You may have trouble sleeping that night before.  Your breakfast doesn’t taste good.  And you sort of schlep out the door to face the demons of that day.

Well, that’s my day today.  This is one of  those days when, the evening before, I knew would be a tougher day than most.  I worked late yesterday, came home, ate something, then told the wife that I was mentally exhausted.  I dealt with two major issues yesterday, knowing that they were not even close to being resolved, and knowing I would have to continue the process today and on into the next days.  I napped after I ate, watched some TV, then went to bed, sleeping fitfully for much of the night.

Today the shower felt especially good.  The cereal was OK, but nothing special.  When I went out to the garage and opened the overhead door, there was a light mist falling and the outdoors seemed dreary and foreboding.  I thought to myself that the outdoor mist and foggy clouds were a perfect fit for my mental and emotional state.

As I came in to work, the mist became a drizzle.  The streets became slick.  By the time I got to the church, the drizzle had turned into a light rain, further darkening my mood for the day.  Knowing what may lie ahead in the day didn’t help my mood.

But all wasn’t lost.  When I arrived at work, I was later than normal.  The rest of the crew was already here.  My day immediately became brighter just because of the people I knew were in other offices and places in the building.  These are people I want to be with.  These are people who understand what it’s like sometimes to be mentally and emotionally drained.  These are people who will encourage, mentor, and strengthen me.  These are people who are fellow-workers in the Kingdom of God.

Often when I am facing a particularly difficult challenge, I can gain a new perspective and see things in a different and better way because of our common relationship and desire to help one-another.  The day becomes less dreary and the sun begins to shine…if not literally…at least in a figurative sense as the day progresses.

Today is one of those days.  One of those days when I needed a refill, so to speak, and got it in part by talking with others, and in part by just being in the same place with these my co-workers, friends, and fellow believers.

Do you have such a blessing in your life…a blessing of friends, family, or co-workers that help you make a dreary day better?  Who support and uphold you?  Who provide wise counsel when needed, and keep their tongue when needed?  Are you one of those who uplifts others and helps re-fill the emotional and mental gas tanks of those with whom you interact?  Think about it.

May God bless you and keep you.  May he fill you with the strength and energy you need for the day.  May you be a blessing to others.