If It Feels Like Another Manic Monday
Hello Lord,
I remember as a teen girl, singing along with the Bangles, about how Mondays are “manic.”
It was just a song lyric then. But some Mondays? The lyrics come alive in my bones.
And let’s face it: Mondays would be manic without You in them.
I suspect Mondays feel so impossible because we stack up expectations on our calendars, our homes, our peers, our children, our spouses, our own selves.
We look at what needs to get done, and we can’t imagine how it will. The slopes of our manmade mountains of expectation look unscaleable.
We suppose that we’re not enough for the pile. Which is true. We aren’t enough. “Enough” never worked. Which is why Your Son died for us. Help me remember that truth this day, this week. Help me remember when I try to tell myself that I’m not enough for the tasks, the relationships, the troubles that might come my way this week. Help me remember that You are already enough, and You are already wherever I’m going.
And the thing is, Mondays are the proof that what I prayed is already true. Sure enough, I checked the calendar. It’s Monday, and behold: You’re here. Just like You said You’d be. These new Mondays keep coming along, like the calendar threatened. And as long as we’re still breathing, they’ll be here waiting.
I want to step into Mondays,
in step with You.
When I try to tell myself how ungreat I am every Monday, uproot each negative thought and replace it with a reminder of how Great thou art.
Dwell in me, Lord. Make the Gospel of your Son get bigger in me this day and this week. Get rid of what doesn’t belong in this temple.
Jesus, You handled Mondays like a boss.
Some find it alarming how, on what is traditionally believed to be a Monday, You entered the temple courts and drove out people who were treating it like a shopping mall. You overturned tables and you didn’t mince words: “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”
Some people might have said you went a little bit manic on that Monday. But Jesus, I need you to get manic, like that, in me. I need you to tip over some tables, and help me keep my priorities straight.
Make me a house of prayer this week.
This could be the day where I look at everything with new eyes. This could be the day when I believe it heart-deep:
that this is the day — this manic Monday right here — this is the day that the LORD has made. Help me resist the urge to remake it in my own image.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!”
~ From Psalm 139 (The Message)
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“Help me resist the urge to remake it in my own image.” Always a temptation for me!
Great post, Jennifer!
,,, Jerralea
Thanks, Jerralea. Have a great week.
If ever I needed a prayer for Monday, it was this day. I’ve often noticed that a rotten Monday follows swiftly on the heels of an excellent Sunday. I think it’s one of the Enemy’s trickiest tactics. Thank you for encouraging us this morning! 🙂
Jen @ Being Confident of This
Praying with you, Jen.
What a beautiful way to begin my Monday! Blessings!
Happy Monday, Barbie. 🙂
Hmmm… I was weighing the glory of a moment this morning. Looks like he was in my house too! 🙂
So many times already this morning have I prayed and asked God to guide and direct my steps, because some how I’ve already fouled them up. He’s reminded me to let go of the mistakes and seek His wisdom and knowledge over the expectations that distract my heart. Thank you Jennifer for helping me to realign my expectations and trust Him with today.
Wow, Jennifer, these two statements of yours need to be quoted for wide consumption!
Make me a house of prayer this week.
Help me resist the urge to remake it in my own image.
I can add no words to these really wise ones, other than: Lord, I can’t do these without your help. Lord, help me.
thank you, Jennifer, always for sharing depth and truth here.
Love
Lynn
For a co-worker today was a Monday…the kind of manic Monday you describe here…on my commute home as I prayed for her I thought how often a Monday can become a Tuesday and so goes the week…as I sip my afternoon cup of post school coffee and read your post…I smile both inward and outward at His Grace flowing through your words…not only did I share this with my co-worker but also with our entire Primary team…thank you for sharing His grace today…here is to a Tuesday…His Tuesday…and so goes the week 🙂
“Make me a house of prayer this week.” May He do that for us all! Happy Mondays ever after, Jennifer!
I echo your “Amen”.