I had exited my Metro station and was rushing toward dinner with a dear friend when I first noticed him–a man in his thirties, wearing a camouflage outfit and muttering under his breath. I didn’t give him a whole lot of thought, just nodded when he opened the door for me as I headed toward the skyway bridge. He said something, but I was moving too fast to listen.
A few yards later, I was forced to slow down; the escalator was only wide enough for one 
person, and about a dozen souls in front of me weren’t climbing. Then I heard muttering behind me. When I turned around it was camouflage man. He grinned at me and said, “Any day’s a good day if you’re not under ground.”
As I walked the two or so remaining blocks to the restaurant, I pondered his words. Maybe I look for the wrong things in my definition of a “good day”–a trouble-free commute, true love, praise from the boss or a friend, even that the weather gods are going to cooperate to give me a day off work. Am I too quick to term a day “horrible” simply because not everything went according to my wishes? Maybe I can learn patience from Metro delays. Maybe I can learn to consider the validity of the feedback I get before I beat myself up for not being perfect in their eyes. Maybe I can shrug off sloughing through the snow.
And maybe, just maybe, I can appreciate God’s wisdom and assistance even when it comes in the form of a muttering man in a camouflage suit who tells me to slow down long enough to be grateful I get to do it all over again the next day.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
A simple, profound truth that I needed to help me appreciate a normal day. Love you! Keep practicing your gift! (2 Timothy 1:6) Many are being blessed. I know I am!
Great advice. Every day is a good day if we get to live it once more.
An elderly friend of mine is constantly in pain. He’s had many illnesses and visits to hospitals. When I ask him how he is he always replies: “Thank God I’m OK, there are many worse than me. Pain is a sign I’m still alive. When the pain stops that’s when we know we’re dead!”
God bless you.
Thanks, Victor. Exccellent reminder!