The Daily Grind?
What exactly is “The Daily Grind?” You might think it is the normal things that happen through the course of any ordinary day. Yet, I ask you, what is an ordinary day? Is it a day where nothing goes contrary to what you expected? Is it a day that no one needed to go to the Doctor, or the Dentist, or the Chiropractor? Maybe it’s a day that no one forgot to brush their teeth, or left their baseball glove out in the rain, forgot to go to an appointment, or forgot to pay a bill. That’s normal, right? Um, well…
So, normal for our family, then, is elusive. It is impossible. It just won’t happen! Our normal includes any or all of the above, plus more, beyond your imagining! So, how do we do it? How do we get through just one of those “normal, ordinary” days? I’d say the best way to survive, and albeit, maybe even thrive on days like this, (we have them 365 times a year, so we might as well bone up for it,) is to start with a good cup of coffee, (two Splenda, and a glug of light cream,) praying for others, and read at least a few verses out of the Bible.
I have a stack of index cards by my bed. On the top left corner I’ve written the day of the week. In the top right corner I have written a name. On the rest of the card I write specific prayer focus for that person or organization. Later on I add answers to prayer. Some cards are filled with cross-outs and modifications…that’s a good thing!!
These cards are divided into categories. Today the cards in my Friday stack were for members of my extended family. Tomorrow my cards are labeled for folks in my community: coaches, business folks, neighbors. Sunday I pray for me. I need to prepare myself for the Sunday services at church. I have to be loving, caring and patient with the close “family members” I have gained in my church “family.” I need to prepare myself to hear the Sunday school lessons, and sermons, etc. with a contrite and teachable heart. Monday I pray for my immediate family. I know, of course I pray for them every day, but this day is just for them in greater depth. Tuesday is dedicated to my friends. I have far away friends, church friends, military friends, homeschool friends, and neighborhood friends. This keeps me in touch with them even when I can’t talk to them as often as every Tuesday comes around. Wednesday is for missions and my church: Awana, Camp Good News, TeenPact, Care Net, Christian Civic League of Maine, Homeschoolers of Maine, Focus on the Family, our pastors, our ministry leaders, and our supported missionaries to name a few examples. Then is Thursday when I pray for our governments. The President, the Vice President, a few other key leaders, the military, (I must say that this specific card takes on a whole new importance to me of late,) the Governor, and the legislature. This card system is a great way to be sure you remember those folks you really truly want to pray for.
There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Read one a day at the very least then start over the next month. Our lives are constantly changing and the words will be new to us each time!
So, with a little bit of effort, you can have a better stab at a positive outlook when tackling “The Daily Grind.” Remember, normal is what happens through the course of any given week in any given family. Your normal will not be like mine, nor will mine be like yours. That’s what makes the world go ’round!
May 7th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
[...] My days are normal. Go here to see what that really means! So, it isn’t like there is boredom and dullsville around me. It probably more of the opposite. We lead a busy, involved, proactive life. This brings on its own set of challenges and emotional highs and lows. While it is rewarding work, and our days usually end with “good tired” sighs, it is all part of a taxing daily grind. [...]