Source: National Cathedral : Sculptor: Herbert S. Houck –  Background Info: From the sculptor’s family history comes the story of his ancestor discovering President Lincoln (in a wooded area) on his knees praying before delivering the Gettysburg Address. 

Dear Reader:

We all have those “down days” when we intuitively realize we need to look up for solace and solution…while falling down on our knees.

We wonder why  rain must fall in everyone’s life. Lincoln, also prayed about this and made this one astute observation:

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”

We can all identify with President Lincoln’s lament, can’t we?

For the first time, in a long time, I went back to the devotional, Jesus Calling, and discovered a different perception on those “down” days which we, always, want to wish away, forget, and leave behind in our memories.. while searching for a better day.

Perhaps, we need to re-examine “down days” to find God’s purpose in them for us. Not wish them away… but put them away… in our treasure box of precious memories.

September 27:

“ Go gently through this day, leaning on Me and enjoying my Presence. Thank Me for your neediness,which is building trust bonds between us. 

“If you look back on your journey thus far, you can see that days of extreme weakness have been some of your most precious times. Memories of these days are richly interwoven with golden strands of My intimate Presence. “

This passage provided me with an “AHA”  moment. Isn’t it true when we are at our lowest (health-wise, worries over finances, marital relationships, children, grandchildren or friends) we grow closer to God….and, in reflection, these days do turn out to be some of our most precious memories. “Hold my Hand.”

If we all lived sunny, happy lives…would we ever bother turning to God and learning to lean on Him and His Wisdom? Or would we make excuses like we do for other things we know we should be doing but don’t….excuses like:  “Tomorrow I will call the doctor, Tomorrow I will finish that overdue project, Tomorrow I will call my children or friends or extended family members and let them know how much I love them.”

God doesn’t live in “Tomorrows”…He lives in the here and now. We, too, must realize that the present is all we have so we better show our love to others each and every day. Especially we should show our love and devotion to God each and every day.

*And let’s not wait each time to go to God with problems on down days…I have a feeling God would really enjoy a good laugh with us on our “up” days.

We tire easily of whiny phone callers don’t we? We find ourselves wishing that the person on the other end of the line would call just once with something good or positive to say and be happy! I think God feels the same way.

So until tomorrow…Live now, Love now. Laugh now!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh