Making the Best of Time

At my school, there have been five snow days in a row this week. I knew it was likely from what I knew of the coming weather last week, and I wasn’t happy. I hate being stuck at home.

As I found myself getting grumpy and easily annoyed, just like the last stint when I wasn’t able to go to school. And I realized- should this really be the attitude I am taking?

It wasn’t, and I knew it.

So I decided to make the most of the week.

The first thing I realized as the week started was that I should be grateful for it. My body had been exhausted from my sleep patterns during the school week and it needed the extra sleep that not waking up at 5:30 would provide.

I felt myself feeling healthier than I have for a couple weeks after the first couple days it. I knew that, even though I didn’t like the circumstances, this week off was a gift.

Secondly, I thought and realized that just because I wasn’t going to school didn’t mean I was stuck where I was. I spent more than one day this past week at a good friend’s house and her bubbly and cheerful personality helped improved my clouded mood. Just being with her and her family reminded me of the awesome family I have in Christ, and all the things He has given to me through them.

I also went out shopping with Joanne and Becca. That was fun, and I had a good conversation that I had been needing to have. These two are just a light to me and being around them helps me to relax and talk about things I keep inside.

I also took the time to catch up on my Bible reading. I knew I was behind and was never sure when I would have the time to catch up with my frantic schedule. So I took my ample amounts of free time to study the Word and spend good time with my God.

Of course I did some other things; knitted a scarf, practiced my violin, that sort of stuff. I just wasn’t begrudging of the spare time.

The point is, for once in my stubborn life, I didn’t allow my circumstances to control my attitude. I instead looked for ways to either change my circumstances or to just not allow myself to be irritable an annoyed.

These snow days were a gift in disguise for me, and I think there are a lot of things in our lives that are blessings in disguise, but we let our preconceived notions be the basis for how we will react, so we never see the blessing.

Life can be surprising when you look back on it. You see the frustrating moments, the annoying moments, and even the downright hard moments, and if you look hard enough you may find that there is something in them to be grateful for.

So take your life one day at a time and make up your mind when you get out of the morning that it’s going to be a good day, no matter what happens to you. Because your circumstances don’t have to define your mood. You control that and only you can see the hidden gifts God has put in your life just for you.