Today will be a ‘Yes Day!’ I can hear the lilt in her voice, even now. My great grandmother would say it regularly to my sister and I during our summer visits. A ‘Yes Day’?!? Again? Of course it could not be a ‘No Day’ – not at GG’s house – not ever.
Usually over breakfast she would approach us with the declaration of a yes day. Breakfast was special because she would buy those little boxes of cereal and we would get to choose what cereal we wanted. This was a treat of epic proportions because my mom did not ever buy sugar cereals. Only a yes day could begin with something as special as “little boxes.”
I guess it was her way of keeping the whining and complaining at bay. She would say, “But today is a Yes Day.” And it worked. Somehow, she said it with such confidence in her voice that the grumpies would turn into giggles. It was as if she was a magician making them disappear like that.
As a mom, I would like to be a magician, just like my GG. I have attempted it with my daughter Emily. Especially since we home school – its easy to get into the routine of accepting a bit of whining and complaining. Recently I adapted the ‘Yes Day’ method. One day my daughter looked at me and said, “But mom, we just had a yes day yesterday.” Clearly she felt it was her right to have a no day once in a while.
Honestly, I’ve had my moments where I thought it was my right to have a ‘No Day!’ I’ve complained to God more often than I should. My house isn’t in the right neighborhood. I don’t have the right clothes. My children won’t act right in public. Why can’t my dishwasher unload itself? I’ve been telling my daughter to have a ‘yes day’ all the while my ‘no days’ have been prolific…
Colossians 3: 16-17 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 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.”
Thanksgiving is this week and so, I’ve made a resolution. Its really only appropriate that it begins at this holiday. I’m going to clear the calendar of ‘no days’. I have so much to be thankful for – there really is no excuse to complain and whine. God has been so good – heaping blessing upon blessing onto my little family. And maybe, just maybe, as I begin to be thankful, my children will be able to follow suit. No magic, just a change of heart.
Thank you Father for all of the many good gifts you have given me! Help me to keep this in the front of my mind throughout each day. I give you praise and thank you with my whole heart! Amen.
And now, I have a ‘yes day’ to get started!
md
(written November 24, 2009)
md
daily portion 