My little seven year old was sick and miserable. She had a cold: stuffy nose, cough and sore throat. She cried as I tried to get her to bed early. As an active kid, she hates bedtime. “Today is the worst day EVER!” She murmured.
“Oh really?” I replied. “Actually, today was a very special day. Do you want to know what wonderful things happened today?”
I caught a little flicker of interest and continued. “It all started when the last stars were fading away and the first beams of sunlight peeked its way into the sky. Then the golden sun shined its smile on the world. The trees waved their branches in the wind and the mommy birds flew off to get breakfast for their babies.” Now she showed a little smile as we talked about all the different animals.
“All over the world today people had a wonderful day. Do you know what they are doing on the south side of the world? People are swimming on the beach enjoying a hot summer day. Somewhere in the world a little boy just got a brand new shiny bicycle for his birthday. Some little girl brought home a new puppy. Today a woman who really wanted to have a baby, just found out she is pregnant. A little girl your age is flying on an airplane for the first time.”
The list kept getting longer… the mother who delivered a 6.8 pound baby boy named David, the kids playing in a moon walk at a birthday party, the farmer harvesting a good crop, the handsome man who knelt down to propose to his girlfriend under the moonlight, the little African kid fishing barefoot with his toes wiggling in the sand. By now Kristy was bubbling with excitement and the other kids had come in to join the fun as well, each adding their own touch of imagination.
While my intent had been to cheer up my grumpy girl, this little exercise had an unexpected effect on me. My own troubles seemed to melt away as I suddenly felt myself a part of this great and wonderful world, connected to all these people, sharing in the joy and wonder of “today”. And just imagine all the hundreds of millions of people who will be having a great day tomorrow.
So the next time you are having a bummer day, try taking a moment to share in the joy of the world around you. Today is really a wonderful day.
This is the day which the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
“Oh really?” I replied. “Actually, today was a very special day. Do you want to know what wonderful things happened today?”
I caught a little flicker of interest and continued. “It all started when the last stars were fading away and the first beams of sunlight peeked its way into the sky. Then the golden sun shined its smile on the world. The trees waved their branches in the wind and the mommy birds flew off to get breakfast for their babies.” Now she showed a little smile as we talked about all the different animals.
“All over the world today people had a wonderful day. Do you know what they are doing on the south side of the world? People are swimming on the beach enjoying a hot summer day. Somewhere in the world a little boy just got a brand new shiny bicycle for his birthday. Some little girl brought home a new puppy. Today a woman who really wanted to have a baby, just found out she is pregnant. A little girl your age is flying on an airplane for the first time.”
The list kept getting longer… the mother who delivered a 6.8 pound baby boy named David, the kids playing in a moon walk at a birthday party, the farmer harvesting a good crop, the handsome man who knelt down to propose to his girlfriend under the moonlight, the little African kid fishing barefoot with his toes wiggling in the sand. By now Kristy was bubbling with excitement and the other kids had come in to join the fun as well, each adding their own touch of imagination.
While my intent had been to cheer up my grumpy girl, this little exercise had an unexpected effect on me. My own troubles seemed to melt away as I suddenly felt myself a part of this great and wonderful world, connected to all these people, sharing in the joy and wonder of “today”. And just imagine all the hundreds of millions of people who will be having a great day tomorrow.
So the next time you are having a bummer day, try taking a moment to share in the joy of the world around you. Today is really a wonderful day.
This is the day which the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.