By Deanna Rossow
Today is our HUGE Family Celebration of the Fourth of July at the lake! Most every outdoor activity imaginable is planned for today: Swimming, Bean Bag Toss, Jarts, volleyball, Frisbee Golf… you name it. And at the moment it is thundering and lightening and raining!
So as I get dressed this morning, I put on long jeans, a long-sleeved top, and plan to carry a light jacket. It’s Michigan, after all. Weather changes at the drop of a hat. So I’m also packing summer beach things! Bathing suit, sunblock, sunglasses, shorts and a sleeveless blouse.
I’m planning for what the Weather Report is telling me: it’s going to be sunny and 81 later on today! Yay!
Getting ready reminds me of the sermon that I heard in church last Sunday. The message was this: Put Jesus on in the morning and “wear him” throughout the day. Ask him to control your thinking, to shape you, to equip you for what the day brings.
We looked at Colossians 3:12 where we are encouraged to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. So as I got dressed this morning, I thought of each piece of clothing I was “putting on,” and named these attributes as I went.
My shirt was Compassion. My pants were Kindness. My socks were Humility and Gentleness, and my shoes, Patience.
I invited Jesus into my preparation. Then I imagined completing my outfit with his glorious Robe of Righteousness! I feel set for the day!
I may be a part of this present stormy world, but I am tethered to Jesus’ future Restoration and Wholeness that will one day be a permanent dress for this needy mama. I look to YAHWEH’s forecast of Healing and Restoration and Resurrection, and I look for the world to come.
It may be storming right now, but the sun is coming!
And I am dressed for the day!