One day at a time, sweet Jesus

Isn't it wonderful how God blesses us in the most unusual places? How he can surprise us with a reminder of His love. How he can turn the routine into something extraordinary.

Some of my friends from The Salvation Army regularly visit an old folk's home to lead a worship service. This day there was a new resident that we hadn't met before. He had long grey hair and a shaggy beard. He reckoned that he had experienced many of the world's religions, but couldn't remember his favourite hymn. He could however remember the words of a once-popular song, “One day at a time, sweet Jesus”. He managed to sing the first verse of some of the hymns from memory and right at the end of the service offered to sing “One day at a time”.

He pulled himself to his feet and steadying himself on the chair in front, began to sing. The fact that he had an Irish accent seemed to add extra magic to the moment, and there was silence in the room. It was a real privilege to listen to him, as the hairs on the back of our necks stood up. When he had finished, one of the carers was in tears.

The song has some great advice,

“Just give me the strength To do everyday what I have to do.
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine. Lord help me today, show me the way One day at a time.”

We had gone there to bring encouragement to the residents and ended up with them blessing us. Mind you, God's love is like that, all the better for being shared.

The Bible tells us that Jesus advised his followers not to worry about tomorrow, “rather be concerned about what God requires of you”.

I remember reading once that worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere! Now I know that it's pointless and not helpful when people tell us not to worry, but we can try not to let it get the better of us. After all, if God is for us..... Actually it's not if God is for us, he definitely is!!

At the start of a new year (or at any time in the year), what better resolution can we make than to take each day as it comes, and invite Jesus to share our journey?