~ I took this photo about a month ago – harvest time went long this year ~

What Shall I Wear
A Daily Devotion 

Early one morning, I stared into my closet and wondered what I should wear? I was about to pull one of my nice shirts off of the hanger, but I thought better of it. I didn’t want to waste a nice shirt on a day that was a “just-get-it-over-with” kind of day.

“Today is not special,” I thought. “I should just wear jeans and a t-shirt.”

I put on the jeans and t-shirt and inspected myself in the mirror. I realized that I pretty much wear jeans and a t-shirt every day. As I stared at my reflection, God nicely connected my outward attire to my attitude. I had a negative attitude towards this day. I wanted to hurry up and get it out of the way. I had already made up my mind that this day would be unimportant and absolutely no fun. And judging from my hamper overflowing with t-shirts and jeans, I harbored that attitude a lot.

Although there is nothing wrong with wearing jeans and a t-shirt, God revealed an expectation and attitude I had about my days that needed to be readjusted. Every morning, I roll up my sleeves and plow through my day like a tractor on autopilot. I trudge along and miss most of the enjoyment because my expectations are low and my attitude is wrong.

Have you ever done that?

Have you ever thought to yourself, “If only I could get through this day, life would be better”?

God is teaching me that I need to change my attitude and expect great things every day. God is the master weaver of our days, and He does not waste a single one. None of our days drop under His radar; He has a divine appointment for us each and every day!

Now, I’m not saying that every day is going to be filled with rainbows and lollipops, but each day does serve a purpose. I think if we put our trust in God, we can find joy even in the hard times. God doesn’t waste a single heartache, conflict or tragedy. He cares about us and our days, and He wants us to be blessed.

If you are a Christian, you have the ultimate portal to joy — Jesus Christ! People are looking at us, and they are wondering why we are here on this earth. They want to see if Jesus makes a difference in our lives. They need to see our joy, especially during the mundane and hard times.

If we start tapping into the joy that is within us, we would have joy every where we go, no matter the circumstance! Once we get good at opening that joy, we can start sharing it with those around us. We can pass out God’s joy like it’s going out of style, and people will praise God because of it!

I am learning to put on a new attitude every morning, even if I still put on my jeans and t-shirt! What about you? How can you give your attitude a new wardrobe?

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118.24).

“Lord, help me to have an new attitude today. I want to live like each day has a grand purpose. I know that You do not waste a single moment in this vapor of a life. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Remember me??! I do hope you’re all doing well … I’m ’home’ again, to do some visiting, and to catch up with you, also, to update a bit, and share with you what’s been happening since my last post. Did you all have a nice Thanksgiving?! We had a nice one with hubby’s family on the Sunday before Thursday, so, on Thanksgiving, we had a nice quiet day at home … no turkey … just Taco Soup, and it was delish! We also heard from Ian … he will be coming home the end of December, for a week. He wasn’t going to be able to, due to his finances, but a friend from church, offered to let him use his business voucher for a trip home! What a blessing!! A week isn’t very long, but, I’m so very thankful for any time we can get with him … it’s been a whole year since we’ve been able to look in his eyes, and, hug our son! We’re looking forward to his visit, but I have so much to do around here, to make it nice for him. My housekeeping has not been the best, of late, and I hope he’ll forgive me for my shortcomings in this area! = Say a prayer that I can get all done, that I need to, before he arrives!  I’ll keep you posted on the date!  I am a bit concerned about him flying, though, with all this talk of that flu virus! I was told that a well known doctor was on the news saying, not to fly this holiday if you can avoid it, but if you have to, you need to wear a mask!! I pray he can find the one they recommend to wear! I have had a couple of friends with the H1N1 virus … one a relative. They went through a rough period but seem to be getting better now. How are you all doing … are you staying well? So far, hubby and I are … thank you, Lord!!  

We looking forward to a bit of snow this week! It will really feel like Christmas then! How’s the weather where you are? I was wondering … do you have any special Christmas traditions each year? We usually go to a little German town called, Metamora, for their annual Christmas Walk.  There are illuminaries all along the streets and sidewalks, horse and buggy rides, barrels with roaring fires, where you can warm yourself … hot cups of cocoa, and soup, carolers, little shops decorated with Christmas lights that reflect off the water in the canal which runs through the middle of the town!  We love going, and haven’t been for 2 years now, because of our craft shows … but this year, our December is free, so we are planning a trip very soon!  So what special tradition do you, or would you, have for Christmas?! You all have a blessed week, and I’ll be around to see the rest of you soon!

  Hugs,
                ~ Deborah <><