Happy Friday my dear friends!
Today may be your final work day for the week, maybe it’s your day off, maybe your week is only partially over and you will be working all weekend and maybe you’re a stay at home mama and your work week is never done- either way, it’s the end of the another week and God has brought us through it!
There are times where I have served as “serve guide” at our church which basically involves welcoming the congregation, introducing the sermon series or a small overview of what the main point of the sermon will be, leading prayers, reading scripture and wrapping up the service with announcements and a benediction. There are many Sunday mornings when both myself and a few others who have served as service guide at our church, have stood up and asked the congregation, “How do you come this morning?” And this morning, at the end of the week, the end of the week after a holiday (does anyone else feel like the week following a holiday is just the toughest? It seems so difficult to get back into the swing of things, not to mention no more sleeping in and not having to rush through the morning routine) I ask you, how do you come into your Friday morning? How does your heart feel? Do you feel light and jovial, ready to take on your weekend and looking forward to all that’s to come? Do you feel like you just had the best week and nothing can ruin your day? Do you feel sadness in your heart with difficulty to face your day? Do you feel anger and frustration because of events that took place this past week? Maybe you just feel anxious, with no real explanation as to why you are so jittery today? Possibly this week has caused you to take on some of the toughest struggles?
On Sunday mornings when I teach Sunday School class, one of the questions I always try to ask my students is “What is the best, most happiest thing that happened to you this week and what is something that was a challenge or disappointment for you this week?” I have to admit, some of the responses make me smile quite big. But I often realize at the end of the week, I don’t even ask myself these questions and recognize these things in my own life.
This past week I had two days where I just felt sad. My heart felt heavy and tears flowed a little more easily then they do most days. I couldn’t exactly explain why I felt this way – some days emotions just seem to hit you. But even on our most difficult, saddest days, God is always with us. He doesn’t just show up when it’s most convenient for Him. He is always walking along side of us. And you know what else? He always, always, always has a plan! Even when it feels like all hope is gone or the sadness is just too overwhelming, He consistently comes through for us. I was once again shown His goodness on that second day of feeling sadness. And honestly, it was in the most unexpected way, during what I thought was going to be just a mundane work conversation. But that is how God works, right?! Right when we least expect it, He shows His goodness and love to us! He reminds us that He is in control and He knows our hearts. He truly deserves all the praise. My introverted, sensitive heart felt full after that conversation. Like really, really tremendously full afterwards! It didn’t take away the situations in life that cause heartache, but what that conversation did do was show me that God is continually placing folks in my life to remind me that I don’t have to walk alone here on earth. Even in the workplace, He is providing me with a follower of His. I couldn’t wait to tell my husband that evening of what had happened to me on Wednesday. I mean, how awesome is that?!
As you walk into your Friday, if you are coming into this day with sadness, just remember that God will provide all that you need. I don’t just mean clothes on your back and food in your belly. He will provide that happiness and joy you are searching for. He will provide you with the strength you need to press on (and if you have to turn up Mandisa’s “Press On” just to help you get through the day, go for it!) Don’t give up, I promise He knows your heart, He knows your pain, He knows your sadness. I can assure you, when you least expect it, He will show you His love in the most unexpected way. If you are feeling discouraged today, feeling pain and sadness, feeling worry or fear – please reach out! I know those feelings and I want to encourage you, I want to pray for you today!
If you are waking up this Friday with joy in your heart and ready to take on the world – how blessed you must feel! That is great!! I encourage you to pass that joy onto someone. Be that “unexpected encouragement, joyous surprise, or kind heart” to someone today, especially someone that you see struggling. Bless others with a smile, helping hand, or compliment. We never know what someone is troubled with, share your happy emotion with them – you never know how far the stone you throw may ripple.
After you ask yourself what was the best thing that happened this past week and you recognize what you struggled with most, I encourage you to praise God for your happiness and pray to God to help you through your struggle. Or if your prayers to God regarding your struggle this week have already been answered (like mine!) then don’t forget to praise Him for providing once again!
As we get this Friday kicked off, I pray you feel loved today. As you reflect on “How do I come today”, I pray that you feel blessed too. Here’s to wishing you each a safe, happy and healthy Friday!
Blessings from our little farmhouse to you my friends!
**Side Note- Remember how I told you how much I loved milking cows and farming? Well, I would without question do it again in a heartbeat, but I must admit, this morning as I'm giving my praises to our God, I'm thanking him for a warm car to drive to work in and an office that I am able to make nice and toasty on a daily work week basis.
To all you farmers out there, working in this 18 degree brisk morning chill, you guys are amazing!
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