“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV
Have you ever had those days where you wish you could just press the restart button? I remember one morning in particular I was trying to take care of two sick kids, while not feeling well myself. Our day started off at the Pediatrician’s office which led to the pharmacy, and then the grocery store. Just entertaining my two sick, circus clowns took all the energy I had. I was weak and worn out and prayed for just enough strength to push through the morning. As I got home, I glanced around my living room and saw what appeared to be the remains of a tornado that had just blown through the inside of my house. It was a chasm of chaos everywhere I looked, and my energy was running on E to do anything about it. I began to juggle the groceries, boys medications, eye drops, lunch and nap time. It was a frantic few minutes trying to do it all, and I went from Marry Poppins to Dracula in my poor attempt to motivate disobedient children. How will I get this all done? No sooner did that thought leave my mind, when I heard “Splaaaaat”, as the recent lunch items exited my child’s mouth at 55mph. I had officially met my max. This day was getting more overwhelming by the minute, and so I chose to pause. What I needed was my heart to fall into place before my house did. So, I left the puke right there on the floor, put worship music on, and began to ask the Holy Spirit to speak to me. Through the course of the song playing, these three words were brought to mind: PERSPECTIVE ENHANCES GRATITUDE. Sometimes we need to ask God to expand our view from the small window pane of our perspective, to His holy point of view from above. I was only able to see the “setbacks” in my day that didn’t go well. Then God flooded my mind with all of the things I had to be grateful for: having healthcare available to my children, being able to stay home with them through their sickness, having a car to drive, money for gas, stores with food, a house that can hold a mess, and on and on it went. With this new perspective of gratitude, my whole day had changed. Nothing became easier, but my focus shifted on what the Holy Spirit had moved in me. There are always hidden blessings woven into our struggles if we take time to notice. In John, we read about the hidden blessing the disciples were unaware of. A gift so great they couldn’t even comprehend it. Jesus, who had been their Teacher and Helper up until this point, knew His time on earth was almost done. Knowing they would feel lost and alone, He shares this message of hope that also applies to us: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV The best gift God could leave with us is His Spirit present inside of us, actively available and ready to help guide us through whatever we may encounter. As you go about your day with every joy and struggle you may face, don’t forget that the precious Spirit of God is alive and with you at all times. When you’re needing wisdom, call on Him. When you’re overjoyed, thank Him. When you’re facing doubt, pray to Him. When you’ve met your max, turn to Him. And in all situations, worship Him.