In our culture we have the habit of saying to people, especially when we are finished visiting with one another: "Have a nice day!" Have you ever thought about what a fine pleasantry that is? Yet I wonder how many of us re-ally have nice days? We tend to groan and grumble and complain until it would seem that things are always terrible. You know, of course, that it has a lot to do with your attitude. If you walk around with your chin scraping the ground and your eyes directed at the floor, then you will, most of the time, find some unhappy thing to gripe about.

The Psalmist wrote: This is the day which the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it (118:24), and again, 0 satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days (90:14). God wants us to have a good day all day, every day. But we tend to be too much like the Israelites, we would prefer to murmur!

Several years ago I read a story, which the author claimed was true, about a brick layer who had really had a bad day. I do not know the author, nor where it originally appeared, but it is worth sharing with you. This statement was turned in to the company he was working for when he was requesting sick leave:

"When I got to the building, I had found that the hurricane had knocked off some bricks around the top. I rigged up a beam with a pulley at the top of the building and hoisted a couple of barrels full of bricks. When I had fixed the dam-aged area there were a lot of bricks left over. I then filled a barrel full with the left-over bricks. I then went to the bottom and began releasing the line. Unfortunately the barrel of bricks was much heavier than I was, and before I knew what was happening, the barrel started coming down, jerking me up. I decided to hang on since I was too far off the ground to jump. Halfway up I met the barrel of bricks coming down - fast.

I received a hard blow on my shoulder. I then continued to the top banging my head against the beam and getting my fingers pinched and jammed in the pulley. When the barrel hit the ground hard, it burst its bottom allowing the bricks to spill out. I was now heavier than the barrel. I started down again at high speed. Halfway down I met the barrel coming up - fast. I received a severe injury to my shins.

When I hit the ground I landed on the pile of spilled bricks getting several painful cuts and bruises. At this point I must have lost my presence of mind, because I let go of my grip on the rope. The barrel came down - fast, giving me another blow on my head and putting me in the hospital. I respectfully request sick leave."

Now folks, I don't know what you think, but I think I would call that a bad day! I thought I had experienced some bad days, but this fellow takes the cake!

For most of us it is really a matter of perspective rather than circumstance. We usually have it rather good. What we tend to do, however, is to concentrate on the unpleasant little things and forget all about the wonderful big blessings that God in his mercy has given to us. And, since God has extended such grace our way, we ought to be glad all our days. The question is what we will make of each day, not what comes to us that day. Now, have a nice day! That's what God intends. If you don't, then its your intention.

Guardian of Truth XL: 8 p. 25
April 18, 1996