Grace for the Mondays

Yesterday I thought that if my house was picked up a bit, if there was a little less clutter, if the laundry pile wasn't quite as high, if I got a little sleep, Monday wouldn't start out as so many Monday's do, with a sigh of exasperation, already anticipating the weekend to come.

I awoke to a house put together, with not quite as much sleep as I would have liked, went through the motions of packing a lunch, being present at our time of family church, and with spirit grumbling, looked at my day with that sigh...

No matter what I did to change it, today was still Monday.

I forgot that preparation for the week has little to do with laundry and dishes and more to do with my heart.

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

I will.  Hmm...that requires obedience.

Sometimes, I start my mornings with the evening excerpt from my friend Spurgeon, and this morning I was reminded that

To obey is better than sacrifice


that "the first thing which God requires of His child is obedience...it is a blessed thing to be a teachable as a little child , but it is a much more blessed thing when one has been taught the lesson, to carry it out to the letter."

And knowing that I was using Monday as an excuse to grumble, I asked to the Lord,

But how? But how today do I obey? I know the right answers...but how do I put one foot in front of the other and tangibly obey?

And then I read these words 

Grace given means you are able to act graceful, even though you don’t feel it. Do you see the difference? Grace is not simply free to do whatever I please. Grace is the ability to do as He pleases.

Sweet Sovereign Grace.  In my own strength I cannot obey but what gracious news to think that He even gives us the means to obey. And

Bitterness dissolves when I remember the kind of love with which He has loved me--He gave Himself for me. He gave Himself of me. He gave himself for me. ~ Elisabeth Elliot

I think I'm ready to start Monday all over again and am so grateful that His mercies are not just new every morning, but every hour as needed.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Good morning, Monday. It is nice to see you again.