This is the Stuff

This morning I woke up with a headache and feeling tired. Not the greatest start to my day. Just a little bit later, I got online to renew a library book only to discover that I had, in fact, missed the due date on NINE other books… Yay for fines on nine overdue books… As I sat stewing over the fact that I forgot to renew nine books (You have no idea how much that irks me…!!), all of a sudden a line from a song popped into my head:


“In the middle of my little mess
 I forget how big I'm blessed.”


That song, “This is the Stuff” by Francesca Battistelli, started running through my mind, and I realized I had a choice. I could let the annoyances of my morning dictate my attitude (and then, ultimately, my day), or I could let it go and remember the many blessings God has placed in my life. I’m realizing more and more how many of these “little” choices we have each day. Even though it is easier to just give in to whatever emotion we’re feeling and let that dictate our day, we do have a choice. We can choose to refocus on God, and on what is really important. Satan will use any opportunity he can to trip us up, and to get us to focus on the negative, to stop us from praising and thanking God.

In my life this morning, Satan used nine overdue books. I’m thankful that God brought to mind that line from the song, and that (this time) I chose to refocus on my Father and His blessings. It truly takes effort to turn your attitude around and start thanking God, because it does not come naturally. But we are told over and over again the Bible to thank God, no matter what our circumstances are.

• “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17

• “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. “ Psalm 107:1

• “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

• “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

Thinking about my morning, I can thank God for a couple of things:

Thank You, Father, that the books were due just two days ago, so my fines were not very high.

Thank You, Father, that I checked online this morning, before too many more days went by without my knowing that I had books overdue.

And thank You, Father, for reminding me through nine overdue library books that Your ways are not my ways, and for teaching me yet another lesson in patience.

“This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess,
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this the stuff You use

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations.”
-Francesca Battistelli, “This is the Stuff