Mercy Filled Monday

Phillipians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

I am currently reading Elizabeth George, "Loving God With All Your Mind."  It is an enjoyable read, while quite challenging all at the same time.  Phillipians 4:8 is the theme verse throughout the book.  Chapter after chapter she encourages the reader to think on what is TRUE.  We are not to dwell in the past year, the past month, or even the past two minutes!  True things are real...the present reality.  This also includes not dwelling on the future, the next day, the next month, or the next year.

As I have accepted this challenge to think on what is true, I have noticed quite a bit of changes in my thought life.  One of these changes came to my attention early this morning.  If you have spent any time following this blog, you are probably aware that Monday mornings are NOT my favorite.  Instead of dwelling on how much I can dislike the first early morning after a weekend, I asked the Lord to help change my attitude.

The alarm clock sounded at 6 a.m.  I hit snooze for a few minutes (I do believe the Lord gave us an extra measure of grace by placing a snooze button on the alarm clock, He knows it is difficult).  I took a few more minutes of shut-eye and then got up and started the day.  What was true about my Monday morning?

The Lord had allowed me to rest and then He opened my eyes.  The fact that I woke up this morning was truth that He had a plan for my day.  I spent a few minutes outside on a power walk/jog and then returned to the house to do some 30 Day Shred (work-out dvd). 

Throughout my time of exercise I sought to think on what was true, honorable, just, pure, anything that was worthy of praise...(Phil. 4:8).  As I thought on these things, each thought ended in praise to my Lord.  I began to wonder if Phil. 4:8 is the Lord's way of saying, "Look to me!  Think about me!  Seek me!  When you do this, all else will fall into place."

During breakfast and a little Monday morning house pick-up I continued to intentionally think about what was true.  8:00 a.m. one of the guards who works on our mission came to my house to get his equipment.  When I greeted him at our door, he was excited and wanted to show me something.

I walked outside with him and we stopped at this bush right next to our house:

I have walked passed this bush 1 million times and never given it a second thought.  This morning however was different.  We stood there for a few minutes and then my eyes gained focus on this:

Burried deep within this bush is a humming bird nest.  This morning there are two eggs gently nestled in the nest.  I was so excited to see the nest today.  True confession, had I noticed the nest a few days ago it may have not been as big of a deal to me.  I have sometimes thought watching bird nests was well...for people a little bit older than me.  However, this morning was different.

The reality of thinking on what is true means I take each moment for what it is and trust in the Lord.  The picture of His care and protection for a tiny tiny tiny bird was a clear indication that being at peace in the present, at rest in His arms, is ALL I need for today.  I look forward to checking this nest on a daily basis waiting for the little birds to arrive.

Senior in High School or Senior Citizen we all need to focus on the truth found in everyday.  Stop and enjoy the humming bird nests the Lord gives us, the nest is our present reality, and everything else will follow as He has planned.