How To Sing at Day's End

The question came to me in the soft light of morning. Inspired by the lyrics of Matt Redman — Let me be singing when the evening comes—I pondered, “What will it take for me to be singing when this day ends?” My conclusions are here for you to consider:

Monitor my thoughts

Monitor my words

Monitor my spirit

Do I always get it right? No. Full disclosure: my thoughts about the person in front of me at the post office lacked compassion, my words expressed at the boutique carried an edge, and my spirit lacked self-control toward the driver in my rearview mirror. On the other hand, when kind sentences affirmed the busy manager at the tire store, I sensed the Holy Spirit creating that song within.

A quiet sense of alertness in these three arenas—making course corrections where needed—offers a pathway for peace, satisfaction, and even singing at day’s end.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

My Thoughts: God’s Scripture says,

“When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.”

Psalm 94:19 HCSB

My Words: God’s Scripture says,

A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man's hands will reward him.”

Proverbs 12:14 HCSB

“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!”

Proverbs 15:23 NIV

My spirit: God’s Scripture says,

“Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.”

Proverbs 16:32

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Proverbs 25:28 NKJV

What challenges rob you from singing at day’s end?

Share your insights on the spiritual disciplines involved in monitoring your thoughts, your words, and your spirit.

How do you intend to be singing when the evening comes?

“Let me be singing when the evening comes.”

Our Collection of Rituals for Saying Goodbye

Do they know?

Larry and I stood fixed in our spot on the sidewalk to wave goodbye until the red car lights rounded the corner and vanished out of sight. Clad in my fleece robe, clutching a warm mug of coffee, I asked myself, “Do they know?”

Do they know that part of my heart is packed away in their multiple pieces of luggage?

Do they know how empty the rooms feel now that the glorious chaos is gone?

Do they know how much we will miss them between now and the time we are together again?

And,

Do they know how very much we love them?

Do they know?

For many of us, the upcoming weeks—our holiday season—promise to surge with energy and explode with activity. There will be extra loads of laundry, more dirty dishes, extended late-night conversations, multiple trips to the grocery, and there will inevitably be the unavoidable goodbyes. Ouch.

Living geographically separated from family for decades has given us the opportunity to create a Collection of Rituals that cushion the leave-taking. Five are listed below.

1. Twenty-four hours before a parting, we acknowledge that we are on a conveyor belt, physically and emotionally, and we intentionally streamline life. The focus of the household becomes packing and parting.

2. On the morning of departure, regardless of the hour, we are up with our loved ones to offer practical help in getting out the door. (Even if it is 2:30 am.)

3. When the clock refuses to grant any more grace minutes, everybody circles for one last hug. And—here is a huge component—we pause to declare a blessing over those leaving. Our favorites remain Numbers 6:24-26 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.

4. Then, as little bodies get buckled into car seats, we state: “See you in a minute.” As absurd as this may sound, somehow it adds a balm, even if we don’t yet know when our next visit will occur.

5. Finally, when the vehicle backs out of the garage, Larry and I scurry to take up our positions on the front sidewalk to wave goodbye as they pull out of sight. We want their last glance to be our smiling faces and warm waves.

Whew. Washed over with fatigue, he and I walk back inside, grab an Afghan, curl up by the fire, and thank God for His loving care over the precious cargo. Our rituals did their part in facilitating the farewell; now we look to God to do His part in restoring our lives to normal.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“He has also set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

What plans do you have for out-of-town guests over the holidays?

Are there certain rituals you have developed for family partings?

How could a scriptural blessing be an asset in your saying goodbye?

What Does It Take to Keep Thankful in Thanksgiving?

Burned biscuits, broken ovens, late arrivals, crowded seating, fussy children, and the “I-might-have-Covid” guest all hold sway over the atmosphere and outcome of your best attempts for a meaningful Thanksgiving. Some may go so far as to say that hosting the gathering is not for the faint of heart.

“But the making of memories is too important to just roll over and order take-out. ”

— Living With Eternal Intentionality®

But the making of memories is too important to just roll over and order take-out.

So, if 2022 is your turn to host the feast and you long for the fellowship to be sweet, may God use these suggestions to equip you in keeping thankful in Thanksgiving.

1. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your Event Coordinator

2. Set the table a day ahead

3. Thursday morning, get up earlier than you deem necessary

4. Don’t skip spending time alone with God

5. Hold your plan with an open hand—be nimble and flexible (not fixed and stiff-necked)

6. Trim your sail to bless, not impress

7. Be content with less is enough mentality

8. Let the words of Philippians 2:4 energize your attitude: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.”

9. Interject thanksgiving into every one of your Thanksgiving concerns and challenges

“In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Living with Eternal Intentionality®

“He has also set eternity in the heart of man” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

10. This is your opportunity to contribute. Please tell us, from your experience, What Does It Take to Keep Thankful in Thanksgiving?