We can’t make anything go well.

Recently I rolled over in bed in the morning and something in my knee twinged before my feet even hit the floor.

Good gravy, I thought, I can’t even get out of bed and trust that my knee will work.

Then I walked down the stairs and almost slipped on a step.

Hmm, I thought, at any given moment I am just one slip away from my day changing.

My daughter got a nail in her tire on the way to work.

Even inanimate objects can change our plans.

My other daughter trained for a half marathon and then woke up the morning of the race with an injured foot.

Hard work and preparation do not guarantee success.

Truth is, I often get lulled into thinking I am physically capable and reliable, but when I think such thoughts…

I am wrong.

I am only physically capable right this minute because I am not sick or injured, but both could be true of me tomorrow.

Nothing has to go well.

I have only been able to earn a reputation of being reliable because my car and body have worked well enough, and my family has remained functional enough to allow me the autonomy to do my job and keep my commitments.

I am only seen as reliable because of God’s grace.

I am typing on a computer right now, but on any given day a virus could creep in or my aged hard drive could decide to quit for good on any given day.

This post is occurring on time because of God’s grace.

I work hard to prepare for every class I teach, but I can’t make students become so interested that they get off their phones. I can’t make a student understand a word I am saying, and I can’t make anyone like the class.

When a class goes well, it is always God’s grace, not my preparation, intelligence or personality.

Nothing has to go well today.

So when it does, let’s not credit ourselves.

..apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

NOTHING has to go well today.

So when it does, thank God.

…Every good thing I have comes from you. (Psalm 16:2)

Picture Explanation: Yesterday was the annual worldwide simulcast for Living Proof Live, but I got to attend the day with a dear friend and watch everything live. Beth Moore’s teaching and Travis Cottrell and his band’s worship were simply wonderful. The theme was Strong Sisters. May I live my life in such a way that sisters in Christ who are younger than me have someone to emulate and someone to guide and disciple them. 

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