A couple of nights ago we were putting Katherine to bed. She is 4. We were reminding her to stay in her bed all night. Somehow, a Queen sized bed gets very small when you add a 4 year-old, 2 year-old, and a 5 month-old! She had done a good job of staying in her bed all night for the 3 previous nights. I said to her, “Stay in your bed tonight like you’ve done the past few nights.” She said, “Daddy, I’ve stayed in my bed 3 nights in a row.” “Yes” I replied. She went on to say, “I can’t stay in my bed for 4 nights in a row!” I assured her that it was possible. I told her that she has to take it one night at a time. This seemed to satisfy her.
So often in our walk with Jesus we look to discipline ourselves in this manner or that. We decide to stop certain things and start others. Most often we are overwhelmed by the prospect of a lifelong change. We are much like the 4 year-old that cannot stay in their bed for 4 nights! As believers we use a different perspective. We have to think in terms of 1 day at a time. Instead of feeling like it is a mountain too hard to climb, let’s focus on one step at a time. One day at a time in serving Jesus.
Katherine did manage to stay in her bed that night. And, actually a total of 6 night in her own bed! It isn’t so tough when you view it one day at a time.
A Pastor's Thoughts 