3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, – Romans 5:3-4
It is incredible how fast life can go from good to bad, from “yay” to “ugh”. Most days pass by unremembered. They are filed away in the manilla envelop of life and stored away never to be revisited. Every now and then however, the day makes it’s voice heard. These are the days that won’t fit neatly into it’s binding. They have the jagged knife-like corners that cut and grind our fingers when we try to put them in their assigned memory. These days are made up of a thousand little annoyances and near tragedies.
Today was such a day. After prepping for a considerable amount of time to present to a usually full class, the students failed to get the memo to show up for said presentation. Bummed out but not discouraged, I came home to pull into my garage who’s door was also apparently on vacation. One learns a lot about the criminal element, as well as the shockingly lax security procedures of one’s home, when trying to break in to said home. Of course there was a dinner mishap and a broken headlight that required the full disassembling of a Chevy Equinox I could speak on, but at this point I would only be looking for things to bemoan.
And that is the point.
If we look with any focus, we are sure to find annoyances in our day. On days where snowballs quickly accumulate before the caffeine can build up a tolerance to such things, life can get out of hand. While I sit and reflect on the day, I realize these things are petty.
Annoying? Yes.
Life changing? No.
My memory recalls friends who are experiencing real trials – challenges I would have collapsed long ago in facing. These are the real battles of will and faith, not garage doors and failed lesson plans. When put in focus, these frustrating days are not the damning statements we think they are. If we let them, they serve as statues of grace. They remind us that we are much better off than we think. Truth is, many would count themselves lucky to have our bad days. Every passing 24 hours has it’s own blend of tragedy and perseverance, and our view changes depending on which side we align to.
Life will grind you down if you let it, revealing the imperfections of character and perspective along the way. Today, be anxious and annoyed, then move on. Know grace covers even these mundane frustrations. Maybe things are as bad as you think and maybe they are not. Do not fear moving on and letting go. Your sanity depends on it.
Matt simon blog 