Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Sunday evening's church service was one of the most unusual services I think I’ve ever attended. Due to a storm, the power was out when we arrived at the church. Typically, in a situation like that, we would have canceled and sent everyone home, but not only were we scheduled to have two baptisms that night, we also had a missionary there to present his ministry. So, we improvised.
We dug out every flashlight and battery-operated candle we could find and set them up strategically around the church. I turned on the flashlight on my cell phone and used the music stand to direct the light at my sheet music so I could play the piano. (That was a first for me!) Here’s where things got hilarious. I looked down at my song list to see which hymn was scheduled for the evening opening. Mind you, I picked out the songs on the Friday morning before this Sunday evening service. The song was “Send the Light.” I burst out laughing and shared the information with the song leader who joined me in merriment.
Isn’t that just like God? Even in the darkest times (whether literal or not), He gives a song and a laugh! With no light and no air conditioner on a 95-degree day in June, we had a beautiful service, pleasant music, two baptisms and a missionary presentation. And we left with a funny story to tell—the tale of an ordinary church service turned extraordinary. And all because we didn’t sweat the small stuff (though I must admit several of us were sweating in general).
Sometimes we take life too seriously and allow minor inconveniences to ruin our days. Yes, some things are frustrating and annoying but only if we allow them to be. We have a choice. We can pout and whine about the things that go wrong, or we can press on and see what happens despite the things that aren’t working out according to our plans. The situation may or may not improve, but our attitudes definitely will.
Today is a gift. Enjoy it. Laugh. Love. Live to the fullest. Determine that nothing will keep you from making the most of every moment. And if life throws you lemons, make some lemonade. You’ll need it if the power goes out!
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”