What does it take for you to have a “good day”?

If I’m honest with myself, a lot of what tends to define a “good day” for me has to do with certain kinds of productivity. On a good day, I’ll accomplish at least some of my “to do” list for the week. On a good day, I’ll spend time with people I care about – like my family and the members of my church. On a good day, I’ll do some reading, get some exercise, and maintain – in ways both structured and unstructured – a “God-directed consciousness.”

And naturally, all of these are fine things in and of themselves. The problem comes, however, when something happens that interferes with such plans. When an unexpected crisis arises…when a task takes longer than I thought it would…when the people I’d hoped to spend time with are busy doing other things – or when my own spirit never seems to get as “energized” as I’d hoped…in other words, “when life happens”…it can be all too easy for a “good day” to become a “less-than-stellar” one.

A far better option (and an option of which my mind is constantly aware – but my heart not so much) is to build my “good days” – not upon the unsteady foundation of what I’m likely to accomplish – but on the solid rock of God’s goodness and grace. As one of the readings from today’s Daily Office puts it:

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God; (emphasis mine)
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8)

When I pray for my daughter in the morning, one of my frequent prayers is that her awareness of God’s love for her will be so strong that any problem or critique that comes her way will seem paltry in comparison. Perhaps that’s not a bad prayer for all of us.

So, may your salvation and your honor depend on God today – the same God who loves you so much that He gave His only Son to give you life. May He truly be your Rock and your Refuge. And may you have a good day.