Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and you’re listening to "Joni and Friends".
And I have a question: Have you ever thought of your days as so – oh, how can I put it – so daily? You know, the minute you open your eyes in the morning – or even before you open them – your eyes are still closed, your head still on the pillow, and already you can feel yourself shifting into the routine for the day. Turn off alarm. Fling back covers. Put feet in slippers. Turn on shower. Squeeze toothpaste on brush while shower heats up. Like I said: It's so daily.
That's especially true for me. I wake up every morning to the exact same series of routines. A friend comes into the bedroom, turns on the tap to warm the water, heads for the kitchen and pours coffee, comes back and puts the coffee straw in my mouth and begins to put my legs through their range-of-motion exercise routine. After that, it's a bath, and toileting routines, getting dressed, and being lifted into my wheelchair. Then there’s the routine of getting me situated in my wheelchair just so – just goldilocks right. Then it’s into the bathroom to brush my teeth, brush my hair. Just yesterday morning, I looked at my get-up girl and said, “Didn’t I just do this stuff?” (Well, I felt like I had), but you know what? It was a new morning, so it was time to do it again. Some days I have to confess I wish the routine could vary, but like you, certain things just have to be done the same way, the same time, every day. It’s always a challenge to accept the daily-ness of life.
Well, my friend Shirley, who is also disabled, once reminded me that our daily challenges have rewards for those who trust God for hour-by-hour (sometimes minute-by-minute) strength. God promises in Deuteronomy chapter 33, verse 25 that “Your strength will equal your days.” Stop right there, that’s a promise. Because no matter how deep the rut of your daily routine, satisfaction in the Lord Jesus can be deeper still. And it’s a fact; it’s a reality: you don’t have to be overwhelmed. The Lord promises that you will have strength (that is, energy and grace) to equal the needs you face in your day. In fact, God invites us to know His satisfaction on an even more profound level as we go to Him for grace, hour by hour and moment by moment. Especially during those so-called boring hours when we feel everything is on automatic. He knows that's when we need Him most.
No matter how much the "same" your day appears, God's grace will make it different because His grace is fresh every morning. Lamentations chapter 3 tells us His love and compassion is new with the dawning of everyday. And if you need a reminder of that, I’ve got just the booklet for you. It’s called “God's Love: Better than Unconditional” and it’s a great reminder of how the love of God wakes us up every morning… the love of God shapes our days… the love of God connects us with people, even those who are a part of that everyday routine. Look, we all need reminders of the way God's love always wins the day, so today, before you get into your routine, please go to my radio page at joniandfriends.org and ask for your free copy of “God's Love.” Keep it by your bedside table so that in the morning, the insights can help you set the tone for your day. Again, that’s "God's Love" at joniandfriends.org.
Finally, what parts of your day are routine? Why not infuse them with life by inviting God to be a part of those everyday tasks? Remember, your routines may be daily, but God's grace? It’s anything but routine. It’s fresh and new for you, every day, every hour and every minute.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376