September 17, 2004
Encouragement for Today
"Good Day Sonshine"
by Luann Prater
Proverbs 31 Speaker Team member and Author
Key Verse:
A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day. Proverbs 27:15
Devotion:
Ladies, he is speaking directly to us when he says that "a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day". We have the ability to perk up our household with "Sonshine", or pound it with a sour, rainy attitude.
A couple of years ago we endured three weeks of almost constant rain. The ground was soaked, the sky was gray, and the smiles were gone. We live in the woods and it was during this particular time that I was almost driven to the edge of insanity.
The leaves were laden with little puddles and everyday when I would race to my car, one or more would decide to capsize onto my head and down my face. My curled bangs would lay limp and wet on my nose. It was maddening. But when the sun came out, it was glorious! The sunshine dried up the soggy ground, splashed the sky with blue and brightened dreary faces.
Sometimes grumblers surround me. You know - people who just love to complain and have done it for so long they think the world expects it. It's a habit. They rise in the morning and instead of being a ray of sunshine to their family, they grumble and drip insults. They proclaim they are not morning people and that is supposed to excuse their behavior. But God says, don't be a drip.
My prayer for today:
Father, thank you for opening our eyes to the influence we have on our family...our world. Help me to take my role seriously and shed your light on a soggy, dreary world.
Application steps:
Ask God to give you a song in your heart, a smile on your face and sunshine in your attitude. I challenge you to be the Bahamas to your family tomorrow. When you wake up, shower your family with "Sonshine".
Reflection points:
Have I smiled today?
Do others see Jesus in my attitude?
Who have I hurt by grumbling?
How can I shower others today with Sonshine?
Power verses:
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Proverbs 15:30 (NIV)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
...to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:23-24 (NIV)
A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)
Additional resources:
Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/radical.html
Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanlistens.html