I feel like I ask myself these questions every evening after I put the kids to bed and I'm finally sitting in silence. Did I love enough? Did I laugh enough? Did I make a difference? Sometimes I feel like I have failed, and other nights I think I did ok. And then it hit me ---
What if I asked myself these questions in the morning before I get out of bed?! Will I love enough? Will I laugh enough? Will I make a difference?
When I rephrased my questions and had this mindset before I even got out of bed, I realized that at the end of the day I felt better about myself because I lived a fuller day with my husband and little ones. I make sure to give lots of hugs and kisses. I choose to laugh instead of feel stress. And I make sure to make a difference for my husband and children.
I'm not perfect. There are days when I don't laugh enough and stress overcomes me. But I know that tomorrow I will try even harder to be who I need to be!
Do you love enough? Do you laugh enough? Have you made a difference?
Uncle Steve and I started out for Alaska Wednesday afternoon. We were due to arrive about 1:00 a.m. Thursday. Through all sorts of crazy twists and turns (flight delays, etc.) we didn't arrive until 9:00 p.m. Thursday. BUT we smiled and laughed our way through every roadblock and we've had ALL SORTS of blessings come upon us! We laughed and smiled BEFORE the blessings, but the blessings make it all that more joyful. We were given a total of $100 in vouchers for food/snacks or whatever, a nice hotel room in Minneapolis, vouchers for free taxi service to and from the hotel, and $50 each toward future flights! Praise the Lord! Because the first flight was delayed by 3 hours we will be paying one less motel room in Anchorage, and all our meal expenses were covered for Wednesday and Thursday. What started out looking really bad has turned into big blessings. AND . . . get this!!! . . . we were bumped to 1st Class on BOTH flights! Last night's flight was a last minute thing--all the other 1st class passengers had boarded when the gate agent handed us new seat assignments for 1st Class! Laughing, smiling, and rolling with the punches works out better all the way around. :-) The lady at one of the stores where we bought a book and some snacks said, "When customers come with vouchers we know it's because they're "distressed" travelers. Ya'll are the happiest, friendliest people with vouchers I've ever encountered! Usually people are angry and in a rage." Praise God for His peace. With every setback (and they're still going on at this moment, I might add) I'm trying to find the silver lining and look at the bright side. It's SO much better than dwelling on the "inconveniences" or incompetencies of others. Lord, help me to smile through it all and make a difference for You!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have discovered that 'gem' Grace! (the "before" gem~)
ReplyDeleteI think that is why king David (not my son-in-law; the 'other' one;)
he said, "...early will I seek Thee..." Setting our hearts toward making a difference for 'Him' when we first get up can keep us spiritually controlled! (not emotionally controlled..:)
Hope you got to see Alan~ and I hope he got to see "Cloe" ;)
Have a great week! Karen