Brighten Your Corner

Today I felt my patience growing thin as I found myself with a lot to do and little time to get it all done.  The dishes had to be washed, laundry done…these were things I needed to do.  What I wanted to do was write something and finish up a painting I had started…then  Jim, my husband, made a mess in the living room.  I had asked him to get rid of the box of junk, not to empty it out on my floor.  I said the same to him, which of course got him upset which led to more words being exchanged.  He has hearing aids, but evidently the battery was low.  I said something about a paper bag and he said,  “What table back?”  I gave up and went outside…

I often like to go out in the morning, sit on my lawn swing and get my thoughts together.  God often meets  me there and helps me with the sorting.  Today, He reminded me of an old Hymn I  love called ‘Brighten the Corner Where You Are.’  It is easy lately to get caught up in the situation the world is in.  We worry about what the future might bring and what we can do to insure things get better and not worse.  But how can we help with a world of problems if we let a little mess in the living room floor ruin our whole plan for the day?  God is in charge of the world…we have one little area we call our ‘home’ that we are responsible for.  Let’s take care of it first.

Keeping a house clean is not an easy task, but not the most important issue either, unless a clean house is your only goal.  Keeping the people in that house happy…or at least somewhat content…is sometimes the real challenge.  How can I make them happy, I  asked God, if I’m not happy myself?  And how can I write …and do all this other stuff…when I just feel tired?

Jesus whispered, “Remember the verse that says:  Speak to yourself in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs?”

Then He reminded me of some:  ” Blessed Assurance…Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!  Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”   Go tell it on the mountain!  He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today.  He walks with me and talks with me, along  life’s narrow way.  He lives, He lives, salvation to impart…You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.” … And He just spoke to me on my swing!!!  I thanked Him and asked for His help in not only getting my cleaning done, but in making my corner a little brighter…then I went back inside.

Jim had picked up the mess and was busy on his computer, so I grabbed my Bible and  looked up the verse.   Just so you know, in case you ever need it, it is:  Ephesians 5:19  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. 20  Giving  thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we all spend more time at home these days, the tension and stress adds up after a while and we must vent…or we can always take refuge in the arms of Jesus.  Find a quiet spot in your house or yard and ask Him for help in facing whatever is causing you stress.  Spending time with Him is better than any medication that comes in a bottle.     When the worries of the world get to us, let us remember to do our best to brighten the corner where we are. God is in charge, so remember:  In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.  John 16: 33