“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Have you ever woken up and just known it was going to be one of those days?
I had one of those mornings recently. My back was hurting, I hadn’t slept particularly well, and I woke up with a grumpy attitude. It seemed like everything that could go wrong was determined to do just that, and I wasn’t in the mood for any of it!
But then it was time for chapel with our preschool children.
Now, if you’ve ever spent time with a room full of preschoolers, you know there’s never a dull moment! Between their excitement, laughter, high fives, and the wonderfully unexpected things that come out of their mouths, it’s hard to stay grumpy.
And somewhere in the middle of singing songs, talking about Jesus, and watching those little faces light up, something changed. My back still hurt. The problems waiting for me hadn’t magically disappeared. But my attitude was different, and my heart was a little lighter.
I walked away from chapel that morning grateful. Grateful for those children, grateful for the opportunity to share God’s love with them, and grateful for the unexpected ways God reminds us that joy can find us even on our grumpiest days.
Those little moments might not seem like much, but I’ve come to believe they’re often some of God’s greatest gifts.
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for the unexpected blessings that brighten our days and lift our spirits. Even when life is difficult, help us recognize the many ways your grace is at work around us. Open our eyes to the joy found in ordinary moments and give us grateful hearts that recognize your goodness in every season of life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Grace and peace,