Every once and a while God seems to like to reach out, grab a hold of me by the heartstrings and remind me of something.  So today I’m reading through some blogs I like and came across this quote:

IT is wholly impossible to live according to Divine order, and to make a proper application of heavenly principles, as long as the necessary duties which each day brings seem only like a burden grievous to be borne. Not till we are ready to throw our very life’s love into the troublesome little things can we be really faithful in that which is least and faithful also in much. Every day that dawns brings something to do, which can never be done as well again. We should, therefore, try to do it ungrudgingly and cheerfully. It is the Lord’s own work, which He has given us as surely as He gives us daily bread. We should thank Him for it with all our hearts, as much as for any other gift. It was designed to be our life, our happiness. Instead of shirking it or hurrying over it, we should put our whole heart and soul into it.

— James Reed, Joy and Strength for the Pilgrim’s Day by Mary Wilder Tileston, p. 39 The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

ARGH!  Lately, I’ve been using my tiredness and body aches as an excuse not to keep up with things, especially around the house.  Now, I know better.  But this quote reminded me that even in the everyday stuff I am supposed to do it with excellence and cheerfulness.  Not perfection…only God is capable of that.  But with excellence and cheerfulness because I’m doing the work God wants me to do.

Okay, I truly am not a summer sun person because I really, really don’t like being hot.  This “summer” has been so horribly rainy with just enough humidity in the air to make it mostly yucky, but with temps that don’t go beyond like maybe 75 on a “hot” day.  So today, I’m actually relishing in the sun and warmth.  I never thought I was one of those folks effected by daylight, but today I even feel better as well has feeling like I have a little pep to my emotional state.

I took a little mini-drive this morning with the sunroof open, came home and even energetically put the final coat of paint on the baby’s dresser/changing table.  The dresser is basking in the sun drying right now.  This is be a happy surprise for Dave when he gets home.  He doesn’t like painting.  And as willing as he is to do things for me to make me happy and keep me from getting too pooped these days, I know he’ll be thankful he doesn’t have to tend to that last coat of paint.

I’ve noticed something new with both of my cats.  Bailey spends almost all his day either in the same room, next to me or sitting on me.  But lately, he has been REALLY attentive and needs picking up all the time.  Riley even has started sitting on my lap.  He is not normally a lap cat.  He’s a walk by for a petting, briefly sit near you for additional petting and then move along to sit elsewhere and sleep type of cat.  Lately, if I sit in Dave’s chair in the living room I will frequently find myself with Bailey draping himself across my belly and Riley sitting along side me.  Dave and I can’t figure out if the cats know “something” is amiss with me or if this is just a new needy phase they both entered at the same time.  It sure will be interesting to see these two guys with the baby.

Well, the sun is still shining (a new 4 hour record!!!) and I am still feeling pretty good so I’m going to go clean my living room and hopefully dining room before my body aches too badly to move.