First thought:
Yesterday we decided to go grill out on the beach for New Years. It had been raining on and off, but in Hawaii rain usually lasts only a few minutes then the sun comes out again. We went clear around to the farthest tip on the leeward side of the Oahu—one of the driest spots on the island.

Well, yesterday it was not one of the driest spots. It rained and rained. Several times we hopped into the truck and tried to wait it out. This is Hawaii, rain isn’t supposed to change plans. It did. We finally gave up and came home. Usually this would ruin a perfectly good afternoon. But as we drove home I kept thinking to myself, “No matter what we’re still in Hawaii.” Something that would usually really upset me—yes I am a perfectionist planner who can’t stand to have anything changed—didn’t matter at all, because I was still in one of the prettiest places on earth. The rain only served to make the mountains around us more beautiful, not less.

It did make me wonder though, what if I took this attitude, this perspective, and applied it to other parts of my life? I find out Jeremy will be gone for another month. It doesn’t matter, we’re still going to heaven and will have and eternity with each other one day. My co-workers are less than pleasant to me. It doesn’t matter, I am still God’s child totally accepted and pleasing to him. All my plans change and there are none to replace them. I have no idea what even the next week holds. It doesn’t matter. I will still end up in heaven one day…

I haven’t had a chance to try it out in real life yet, it’s been less than a day. But when I do have the chance, and if I remember, I’ll let you know how it goes.

Second thought:
Today in my Bible reading I came across the verse Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” It has occurred to me recently that the last part of this verse is active. He tells us to “stand firm” and “do not submit,” –another version says “allow”—“again to a yoke of slavery.” I was amazed, this is a choice. Taking off the yoke is not something that occurs one time when we are saved; it is a daily choice to stand firm and not allow ourselves to be burdened again.

This got me to thinking, what are my yokes I allow myself to be re-burdened with? Perfectionism, having to win no matter what, being the best, legalism/rules… What are yours?