Attitude is Key:

I have been finding myself at times lately not having the best attitude.  I think in part is because I have felt really busy and my to-do list seems never ending.  I am getting married in a bit over a month, and I do have some final planning to do.  Then I am also doing RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Bike Ride across Iowa) a few weeks before my wedding, so I am making sure I have most of the wedding stuff done before I go on that trip.  I also have some anxiety when it comes to doing this event as well.  It is very fun, but it is very exhausting as you are biking across the whole state in a week.  

Overall, I have a lot going on.  I know I am probably preaching to the choir right now.  There are probably a lot of you reading,that have even more going on and in your own extremely stressful situations.  Also, I am speaking about very exciting events and things I am looking forward to, so there really shouldn’t be a lot of negative stress attached.  However, I have really wanted more time to relax and have the opportunities to focus on these two upcoming events, while I still have my job to do and other volunteer obligations.  

However it is important to remember to care about all these day to day obligations including work or volunteer opportunities with the same good attitude as I am approaching wedding planning and my RAGBRAI trip.  I just want to work on those things and get myself mentally and physically ready for both, but I need to remember this desire to work at the office or when I am volunteering at church or various other organizations.  

One verse I want to highlight is Romans 12:2 which says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  I love this verse because it is a reminder to not live like the world tells us to but rather to live like the Lord has expected.  The Lord has expected us to care and work hard no matter what.  We shouldn’t just focus on a few small things. We also need to have patience and to have a good renewed mind for all things. 

I do need to remember to have patience as I prepare for all the pieces of these next two months.  Yes, I have a lot going on, but I just need to remember to look to the Lord for guidance and patience.  He will help me out and be there for my comfort.  I do need to look to Him for strength as opposed to looking to other places.  I also need to go to Him for any attitude adjustments when I don’t want to work hard on something.

I especially need to remember to have a good attitude when it comes to opportunities to share God’s message with the world.  For example, one of the big things I had going on this week was getting to work on VBS or Vacation Bible School for my church.  It was actually called Sports and Arts Camp this year, so the kids got the chance to try different sports and different arts throughout the week.  I am in charge of teaching the track section.  I got to work with kids running and doing some relays.  

Even though I was a bit stressed out and at one point in time I was wishing I hadn’t signed myself up for help with VBS this year with everything going on.  However, this has been a great time for me to meet with kids who are at my church to learn about sports, arts, and the love of God.  I am so glad I had this opportunity this week.  The second day was especially great.  (The first day, it rained, so that was hard).  The second day, I had a group who was so ready to run in some relays as well as do some sprint races.  It brought joy to my face watching them run and work together as a team.  

The challenge for the week is to be reflective over your particular week.  This is making sure you are having a positive attitude whenever it seems like you are starting to fall into a bad one.  This is the kind of attitude that can come up when you just don’t want to do something.  This could be a certain job shift you just don’t want to do, or a time serving you already signed up for, or even spending time with people who maybe you don’t necessarily want to see.  It is important to be a Holy Godly Christian, no matter the circumstance.