My paternal grandmother, “Granny Ruth” as we called her, was a woman of great faith. She had a diligent daily devotional practice, taught Sunday School classes, and played the organ at the small Baptist church where she and my grandfather attended until she was in her 80s. When you called their home telephone and they weren’t there to answer, the voicemail message that greeted you began with the line from Psalms 118, This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
A few weeks ago, I was having of a particularly challenging weekend morning. My toddler-aged son was upset, my energy levels were zapped due to pregnancy, and I had a list of chores that needed to be completed to set my family up for a successful week ahead. As I began to feel sorry for myself, those famous words spoken in my grandmother’s voice entered my head, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” In a moment in which I felt anything but “glad,” I was reminded that every day is a gift from God. It’s easy for us to rejoice when everything is going our way: it’s 70 degrees out, the sun is shining, all our work is done on time and our kids are happily playing. However, I often need to be reminded that our blessings from God are not based on our circumstances. Every day can contain something to rejoice and be glad in when we open our eyes to see it.
This Lenten season, I am committing to begin each day by reminding myself that it is one that the Lord has made. And, because of the promise of Easter, I can also rest assured that I will one day see my grandmother again in the kingdom of heaven – and what rejoicing there will be!
– Morgan Jones, Associate Director of Meals on Wheels OKC
