I love starting my day with a prayer that includes, “Lord, please use me to today to shine Your love to those who need it most, starting with my family.”
I wasn’t always like this. I’m a recovering perfectionist. I had a set agenda of things I needed to get checked off every day and when they were still on my “to do list” at the end of the day, I would be upset. I would feel as though I failed.
God has been shifting my focus to what’s really important. I’ve shared in the recent past how there are two jobs that are absolutes every day … everything else is written in pencil:
- Love God above all else.
- Love others as myself.
When I shifted my mindset to focus on those two things, while I’ll still get irritated sometimes that my “to do list” stays longer than I want it to, I know I’m doing the right thing. And praying that simple prayer every morning, “Lord, please use me today to shine Your love to those who need it most, starting with my family,” then I am actively looking for ways to fulfill His agenda for my life. The “to do list” is still important, but secondary.
Sometimes, God allows me to follow my agenda and feel productive with the tasks that need to get done. Other days, the “to do list” is left for tomorrow, and I need to be satisfied with shining God’s love and knowing that was enough.
What about you? Have you ever prayed a similar prayer to the one above? Is that something you’d like to start … and see how God uses you to bless someone He puts on your path? Just think … you may be the only representative of Christ that particular person has ever met.
© Cheri Swalwell 2021