Positive Is a Choice

It’s been a really long time since I’ve had a Monday like this. It actually started quite well. You see, today would have been my 18th wedding anniversary if my marriage had not derailed six years ago. When I woke up this morning and realized the date, I was actually pleasantly surprised that I didn’t feel sad, disappointed, angry, or any of the other negatives that I’ve struggled with on the previous former anniversaries.

Nope, this year, as I considered the date, I actually felt excited about my life. I took a moment to thank God for all that he has brought me through in this time and to tell him how thrilled I am about wherever he is taking me. (Just being able to enjoy the unknown that used to tie me in such knots is a real victory!)

I had no way of knowing then what a challenge the day would become. Within five minutes of walking in the door at work, I was faced with a friend who said she didn’t want to live anymore. We’d been down this path about six months ago, but with counseling and medication, she was greatly improved. This latest bout of depression caught me by surprise and scared me for her again. The next six hours were spent getting her emergency counseling attention, getting her antidepressant medication, and working on reports at her bedside while she took a nap to try to make up for some of the sleep she’s been lacking.

I made it back to the office in time to cram in the remaining reports that are due each Monday before running out to pick up Austin from my aunt, who was picking him up from camp at 3:00. As I pulled into her driveway at 4:45, it never occurred to me that she had forgotten all about going to get him, even though we discussed it at 11:00 this morning. Or that I wasn’t getting the cell phone messages from the camp or my ex because I forgot I had silenced the ringer so as not to disturb my friend’s rest. (Did I mention this was Austin’s first day at this camp? And that the camp director had to drive him up to meet his dad—the only one who answered the call? And that his dad was oh so happy to get the call in the first place?)

Now tonight, I’m on my third load of laundry, because the wet towels and swimsuit from camp that I intended to wash in the first load never made it in. Or into the second load that I started when I realized that I forgot to throw in the pants that Austin needs for tomorrow!

The point of my telling you this whole story is this: Tonight, I’m choosing to stay positive. I refuse to let any of this get the best of me today and drag me off to the pit that I normally frequent on the 8th of June. I’m choosing to keep my focus on all of the wonderful things that the Lord has done for me.

1. Out of a failed marriage, he brought the biggest blessing of my natural life: my son.

2. He has delivered me from the crippling depression in which my friend finds herself right now, and I know that he can deliver her.

3. As I sat—on the anniversary of my marriage—in the same counseling practice in which I told my husband six years ago that I was filing for divorce—the first time I’d revisited the place since then—I realized the extent to which God had healed all of that devastation.

4. I was able to deal with my aunt and my ex and not lose my patience with either one of them about a situation that would have driven me around the bend not that long ago. Yet another sign of God’s healing work.

5. The camp director was very gracious when I called apologizing profusely, and even complimented me on what a wonderful son I have. She was merciful and didn’t threaten me with late fees or other incentives not to let it happen again.

6. Rather than having to wash these loads of laundry by hand, wring them out, and hang them up to dry (as I do when in Russia, and most Russians and the rest of the world do regularly), I’m blessed with a washer and dryer that does all of the hard work for me.

So there you have it. I am blessed and highly favored of the Lord. I will continue to rejoice in him and to keep my trust in him.

The next time you are tempted to let your day get negative, turn it on its ear and rejoice for the positives. You will be amazed at all the Lord has done for you when you take a moment to consider it.

Let’s not give up one more day to being defeated by our enemy—no matter what form that defeat tries to take. Remember, the joy of the Lord is our strength!