Day 11: Do Something Lovely
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Today's post is one of my favorites in this entire 31 Days to Hallway Praise series.
Today, let's put aside all of our must-do's, should-do's, and need-to's. For one day (or even part of a day, if you absolutely can't take a full day off), let's do something lovely.
What does a lovely day look like to you? Maybe it's spending time snuggled up with your children and a copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Maybe it's lighting a scented candle and watching your favorite movie with your spouse. Maybe it's enjoying a leisurely bubble bath. Maybe it's as simple as getting up 10 minutes earlier than the rest of your crew so that you can enjoy a hot cup of tea uninterrupted.
Forget the bathroom that hasn't been cleaned in 6 weeks. (Trust me, one more day won't make a difference.) Let the kids do the dishes today. Give the dust bunnies a little longer to play under the sofa.
While I'm not encouraging laziness or belittling the high calling of homemaking, I do want you to take at least some time to do something lovely and to reflect on all the Lord has given you. Think about how His Son died on the cross on your behalf. Consider the depth of the Father's love for you. Read through your gratitude journal and recall your many blessings.
My idea of something lovely would be staying indoors on a stormy day, listening to the rain drumming on the roof while enjoying a mug of Constant Comment. The spark plugs and I would spend oodles of time reading aloud together before we set the table with the expensive China (even though I don't have enough place settings for the entire family) and waited for Jon to come home from work. After dinner, we'd all play a game together (Rummikub is my all-time favorite). Last of all, Jon and I would spend some time in adult conversation after the kids were in bed, thinking over the day and thanking God for His abundant blessings.
Maybe my lovely day looks nothing like yours. It doesn't matter. Find some way to do something special that gives you the opportunity to meditate on who God is and what He's done for us. What better way is there to praise Him than remembering His faithfulness?
Today's action steps: Choose to do something lovely - something that both relaxes you and makes you smile. Be creative. You don't have to spend any money on this project if you don't want to. Arrange a time for your something lovely, whether that means finding something to occupy the kids for a bit or clearing your schedule to allow for some free time. Then do your lovely thing, praising the Lord for all His mercies while you do.
Bonus points if you schedule in another "lovely" day next month, too!
Linking up at Faith 'N Friends, Grace and Truth, and Sitting Among Friends.
