Several years ago we spent the Christmas holidays skiing at a cabin. That was a really good idea for the first two days, but by the end of the third day I could no longer walk, so I ended up lounging in my (very cute) pajamas. Later that evening I agreed to go to the store because my kids decided they didn’t want what had been prepared for dinner, but I really didn’t want to change. My sisters-in-law were sitting at the kitchen table and I asked them, “Do you think it would be a big deal if I wore my pajamas to the grocery store?” Their reply? “No, you will be there for five minutes; no one will even notice what you are wearing.”
So I went to the store. I answered a phone call as I walked in and also noticed there was no one in line at the Redbox machine. (As I am sure you are aware, that never happens.) So I decided to return the three DVDs we had rented the day before. I don’t know if you know this, but the Redbox is the slowest machine invented. Before too long a line had formed behind me. Since I was now happened to be first in line, I decided to rent another movie for the night. As I waited for the movie to vend, a lady from the back of the line came up to me and asked, “Are you on the phone?” I looked at her and smiled and waved. Of course I was on my phone; she could see me talking into it. She continued, “Because you can’t use this machine while you are talking on the phone.” Now, in my defense, I thought she was telling me that you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to use the Redbox machine, so I giggled and winked and waved again, and she got back in line.
My phone call ended just as my DVD came out of the slot. As I turned to leave, the woman returned and said, “You are rude! And you’re wearing your pajamas!” I was mortified, and not quite sure what the correct response would be. I took my DVD and wandered into the grocery store, completely forgetting why I had come.
I walked aimlessly through the produce and thought to myself, That lady is right, I should never have been talking on my cell phone while I was using the Redbox. By the time I got to the frozen food section I was saying to myself, What were you thinking? You should never have come to the grocery store in your pajamas! By the time I got to the check stand I was thinking, If you would have taught your kids to eat white chicken chili you wouldn’t have had to come here for nuggets and fries. By the time I drove to the first stop sign I was in tears. I was a terrible citizen, an awful mother, and somehow I had managed to ruin the entire Christmas holiday.
I walked into the house, past my two sisters-in-law who were still sitting at the kitchen table and said, “The pajamas were a bad idea!” One of them asked what happened, and by the time I finished telling them, we were all hysterical with laughter. Through her laughter one sister-in-law asked, “Why didn’t you tell her, ‘I know I am wearing my pajamas, I dressed myself!’” (Why is it you never think of the right thing to say in the moment?)
Isn’t it amazing how one second we can be completely on top of the world, and all it takes is one person questioning our actions for the whole world to come crashing down around us? Sometimes these moments are funny, like when we wear our pajamas to the grocery store. But sometimes these moments are painful, like when we begin to doubt our abilities as a mother, a spouse, or a friend. All of the sudden it doesn’t feel like a good day anymore.
I love a scripture found in 1 Peter 3 that says, “For he that will love life, and see good days…happy are ye” (1 Peter 3:10&14). Peter’s suggestion is simple but profound—love life, and see good days. I find it so interesting that the scripture does not tell us to love life and have good days. Instead the counsel is clear—see good days.
In my determination to acquire this gift, I have discovered several hints that have helped me to see good days. Perhaps some of these might work for you.
• Change your perspective.
• Look at things in a different light.
• Laugh.
• Uncover the good that may be concealed.
• Turn each day over to the Lord and let Him guide the way.
• Keep a blessings jar.
• Pray.
• Find balance.
• Live Happy.
• Ask for an understanding heart.
• Look for someone you can serve.
• List what you love.
• Find miracles in the ordinary moments.
• Try something new.
I challenge you to do one of these things today. Start a happy book and fill it with the memories of your days of gladness and your good days. Looking back at those moments will help you to see how many good days make up your life.
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Emily Freeman is the author of the bestselling 21 Days Closer to Christ and has just released her new book, Love Life and See Good Days.
