Day by Day

Right now there seems to be more unknowns that usual in my life. More that is up in the air. Less routine and predictability than I may want (until I have routine again ;)

My life is truly incredible. I have been blessed with so much – and I am constantly grateful that I have the opportunities and experiences I do. But there is also currently a feeling of being in a waiting pattern that I don’t like, one I am trying to figure out how to change.

I find myself frustrated with how little I seem to do day to day. Looking back at my life I seem to see that I used to accomplish so much more, be involved in more things that were contributing to the world, to those around me. I want to feel that way now, again.

Then I try to make some changes, to get up earlier and make more of the time I’ve been given. I find myself feeling like I’m still not doing much.

Confiding my concerns to a friend, I was told, “You should cut yourself some slack. I think you are doing more than you give yourself credit for.”

Those words made me realize that I likely did not do as much as it appears in my past. Looking back I can see how things came together and added up to forward movement and success. But, at the time, I likely didn’t feel like I was doing huge things.

In a meeting before one of my volunteer shifts at the Boston Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we were encouraged to think of one thing we could do during the coming week to be more holy after singing together the hymn, More Holiness Give Me (Hymn131). It was a good exercise to participate in (I choose to try to see each person I interact with the way the Savior would).

Perhaps at least as influential for me was what President Baird told us: We are not trying to make a big change all at one. We should be looking to improve 2-3% at a time.

The same ideas is taught in the Book of Mormon: “…by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6)

Discussing the hymn in our meeting reminded me of a phrase that had been repeated in two of the hymns we sang in my Sunday worship services recently: day to day.

Here are the two lines with this phrase:

“Bless our efforts day by day” (Hymn 170, God, Our Father, Hear Us Pray)

“May life’s myst’ries be unfolded As I study day by day.” (Hymn 277, As I search the Holy Scriptures)

The little things we do each day are the building blocks of our life.

In the moment, I can’t see what is going to happen as a result of those little things. But, looking back I can see that great things have happened. I choose to have faith and believe that as I do my best day by day great things will continue to come together.

The other thing that stands out to me from those two phrases is how the Lord is involved in those day by day efforts. Asking for, and then following the Lord’s guidance is key. And one of the ways to seek and know what His guidance is comes through reading His word in the holy scriptures – day by day.