The day was blustery; cloudy, cold, rainy and windy. Two of Claire’s children were home, sick. One had an ear infection and the other the stomach flu. Claire’s husband didn’t have any days left that he could take off. Claire could work at home, so she was elected to care for the kids. Claire didn’t mind working from home, but a major project was due and she was stressed out about completing it. The fact that she had to care for two sick children did not ease Claire’s stress.

During the afternoon nap time, when the children were actually sleeping, Claire sat down with a cup of coffee. She opened up a devotional book and began to read the selected text, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Claire reflected on those words. She really didn’t feel in the rejoicing mood. Certainly she couldn’t be glad that her children were sick or that the deadline for her project was drawing near. Claire thought hard had discovered that the day did contain reasons for which she could be thankful.

Claire rejoiced that she had a home to keep her warm and dry on that blustery day. She gave thanks for her two wonderful children and for her loving husband. A job that she liked and good friends were other reasons for which she could be grateful. There were also those constants no matter what the day was like: God’s steadfast love, unconditional forgiveness and overwhelming grace. As Claire thought about the day, her attitude changed. She started thanking the Lord for specific blessings in her life. Claire rejoiced because of God’s presence, God’s power and that she lived in a relationship with the Lord.

Psalm 118:21-27

I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the festal procession with branches, up to the horns of the altar.