How would you complete the sentence above? What do you think of this: “Some days are better than others”? Yesterday, for me, happened to be one of those better ones. And, by the way (and by the grace of God in Christ), I find most of mine to be this way. This week, in fact, seems to be filling up with some of the best among the better!
I am trying to recall how many different hats I wore yesterday. Student, Administrator, Counselor, Shepherd, Community Collaborator, Advocate, Financier, Organizer, and Intermediary all quickly come to mind. And now that I think about it, these do not even include anything in the more domestic realms of husband, father, or grandfather. I think (hope) I had a decent day in those arenas, also.
The amazing thing – and this is really what made it to be a “better than others” kind of day – is that significant progress/impact was made in most of these areas.
I think that, in many ways, mountain ranges, the stock market, and my days have similar patterns. They include ascending to new heights (better than other days), plateaus (if progress is being made, I sure can’t see it), and valleys (those “other days” that are not “better”). Yet, when one steps back to observe, all three parts to each pattern have their value and beauty.
Mountain climbing, I am told, can be tiring. The greatest views are from the new heights, but they also have snow and thin air. Plateaus are great for rest, recreation, and readjustment. If you are looking for fresh water, the valley is the place to be. And taking all of these in from the distance makes for a beautiful panorama.
Talk to any stock advisor and they will tell you ups, and downs, and plateaus, are all parts of how the market goes … and that, rather than jumping in and out, the best plan is to stick with it over the long haul. Corrections are necessary. News stories can have major impact one day and none the next. Yet, if one steps back to look over any given ten-year period, your investment will have noticeable growth.
I have often suggested that parenting young children has the same pattern … new heights, plateaus, and valleys (some of them gorge-like deep). However, if we hang in there and occasionally take the time to step back for observation, the panorama is beautiful, and the growth is noticeable. In fact, I go so far as to tell people, “God has it worked out that (especially with the very young) just when you feel as though you cannot take another day of the child functioning at a certain level, God advances them into something new and exciting. So, just be patient. It will come.”
A little later today I will spend some time reading through Genesis with a couple FHL groups. Abram was 75 years old when God promised him a son through whom all nations of the earth would be blessed. He was then 86 years old when God clarified the promise, saying that Sarai would be the child’s mother. Then, at the age of 99, God changed both of their names and said that within a year the child of the promise would be born. For 25 years God was saying to them, “Just be patient. It will come.” And, as you know, the real “son through whom all nations of the earth would be blessed” did not come for nearly another 2,000 years!
Truth be told, there is a two-fold reason as to why yesterday was one of the “better than other” days. One is because a lot of hard work (ups and downs), patience (plateaus), and x-factors (people, places, and things) had been added to the formula prior to yesterday. The other, more significant one, is that God said, “This is the day.”
So, perhaps, rather than completing the sentence by saying, “Some days are better than others,” or even “Some days are more important than others,” it would be better to say, “Some days are filled with clearer observations of God at work than others.” The psalmist David, on one occasion as he stepped back to observe the panorama of God@Work wrote, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path. … I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27.11-14) Some days are … no, wait, more likely (and hopefully) … all days are filled with learning (teach me), and hoping (I believe), and waiting (why did he have to mention that twice!###?) for the Lord. So again I ask, how would you like to complete the sentence, “Some days are …”