These words, spoken with love, escaped my mom's lips a few times during my teenage years. They still come to me when I need them most. Like yesterday.
This weekend Keith and I had 24 hours to ourselves, a rare treat in our lives. As we drove home Sunday morning, I felt a case of "the Sundays" creeping in. Do you know the Sundays?
Medical explanation: Little bugs sprout in the head and travel to the stomach, setting off waves of icky feelings throughout the body.
Symptoms: Anxiety, dread, and/or grumpiness. In severe cases, inability to think clearly.
Prescription: Extermination of bugs in head (i.e. a change in attitude).
I did not even want to face the jam-packed week ahead of me. Preparing for work on Monday. Home improvement projects and cleaning to prepare for the realtor's pictures on Tuesday. Other appointments Tuesday and Wednesday. Finishing my portfolio for my work review due 2/22. Grading papers. Work obligations on Saturday. The usual schedule for Henry. Whew. I was tired and grumpy just thinking of it.
And then I remembered. "Only you can change your attitude."
So, this morning, I tweeted: "Looking forward to a busy week with lots of opportunities to see God's grace in action!"
These words came not from a place of I've-got-life-figured-out-and-you-only-wish-you-were-as-cool-as-me. No, they came from a desperate place of, "Lord Jesus, I have to write it and speak it to make it so!"
So, a potentially stressful week turns into a way to see God's grace more clearly. Every time I'm tempted to groan, He'll be there. Every time I stumble, He'll steady me. Every time I want to close my eyes and shut out the world, He'll help me open them. And there's no telling what other ways He might show mercy and love all around me.
But if I was sick with the Sundays, I wouldn't see. My eyes would be looking in rather than out and up.
What about you? Do you sometimes need to change the "u" in attitude?
We all need attitude adjustments once in a while. And when things seem to pile on you one after the other it is easy to wonder if you will ever see light again. The best words I can give you now is to "try" to put the IMPORTANT things in perspective, some things are not worth giving an ounce of thought to especially when you know that nothing is ever going to change about that situation. I love you baby girl! Mom
ReplyDeleteOh and you people that read Meredith's blog have come to realize, I'm sure, that she didn't get her English/Grammar skills from her Mom....LOL
Jackie, what you have given (and continue to give) your beautiful daughters is vastly more important than grammar skills. Your Christian wisdom, strength, faith, and understanding will continue to influence others through your children, grandchildren and beyond. "Ain't no doubt about it"--you're a highly successful mom.
ReplyDeleteThat's right, Mrs. Lytle!
DeleteThank you Mary!
ReplyDelete