How to Have a Good Day

The assurance of a good day came clearly to mind. As I sprang out of bed, I laid it all out: I will edit uninterrupted all morning then have most of the afternoon to write, with time in late afternoon/evening to spend with my family—the makings of a perfectly good day. 

The only problem was having a good day depended on my behavior and the day’s circumstances, two things I have, at best, tenuous control over.

You would thing I’d have learned that by now. I write about my joy being anchored in the Lord. I talk often about surrendering my desires and dreams to Him. I pray for a loose grip on my plans. 

Still, when it comes right down to it, I believe I have a pretty good schedule for each day. I wake most days with a plan and a prayer—too often in that order. 

Maybe instead, prayer should be first. Maybe before we ever set a foot on our bedroom floor, we should offer up our day to God. Scripture talks about giving our firstfruits. 

Maybe before we ever set a foot on our bedroom floor, we should offer up our day to God. Share on X

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” Proverbs 3:9

The Makings of a Good Day

Circumstances lose their control when we take them out of the equation for a “good” day. And our performance is certainly no guarantee of a successful anything.

Circumstances lose their control when we take them out of the equation for a 'good' day. Share on X

What determines a good day is Who wrapped it, Who gifted it, and Who’s in it. Let’s give our day first to God. Let’s commit it, surrender it, offer it. 

What determines a good day is Who wrapped it, Who gifted it, and Who's in it. Share on X

When we do that with our whole hearts, our whole beings, the day truly becomes an unknown treasure to discover, a mysterious present to unwrap. 

Then when a day takes an unexpected turn, like mine did today, we won’t be so likely to mistake the adventure for  an arduous journey. When our day has already been given to God to do with as He sees best, we are in a better position to look expectantly for the blessings that may be found crumpled in the day’s wrapping.

Giving our day to God puts us in a better position to notice the blessings crumpled in the day's wrapping. Share on X

Because we know they’re there:

The hidden gifts

The gems of growth and refinement, joy and peace. 

This day, like each one before and after, is a gift, handmade with great love by the Creator Himself and given to me and you.

Tomorrow, and every tomorrow after, let’s begin the day by surrendering our expectations of it and embracing God’s plans for it.

After all the Lord knows, before we ever begin to unwrap it, the beauty that’s hidden within. 

The Lord knows, before we ever begin to unwrap it, the beauty that's hidden within each day. Share on X

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Reflections: How do you begin your day, with a focus on your plans or surrendering to God’s? 

Closing in on 4 years of counting and I’ve surpassed 4,000 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! Here are numbers #4,122–4,142. Read my entire list by clicking here.