Today was Sunday.

It started with a church service, which had a huge youth Sunday school class because of our youth prayer & fasting weekend.

Our little circle of the usual 10 ish youth enjoyed all the visitors and the discussion they brought.

This was my weekend to work, so next was home for lunch and a long nap.

After that, things started to go off the rails…

I realized I had no nice clothes to wear to work because I haven’t done laundry in over a week. I figured I had enough dresses and scrubs, but forgot to check if I still had anything clean that coordinated…

I dug out a scrub that I really don’t like, because it matched one of the few clean dresses in the closet, and went to work.

Shift report bore the news that our elevator broke down, so the morning staff were unable to take the laundry carts downstairs.

Northern girl that I am, I decided to brave the cold and at least bring a cart of clean towels around the outside of the building, up the hill, and in the door to the main floor.

I forgot about the wind we get on this hill, but by the time I rounded the corner of the building with all those clean sheets and towels, I was committed to the cause and would complete it. I did, with sheer willpower and frozen fingers.

Around this time, my patience started to wear thin. Did I mention my pager was ringing repeatedly, just often enough to nicely interrupt my attempts at preparing the afternoon snack?

I made it downstairs to the disastrous laundry room and took in the heaps of laundry everywhere.

I was wishing I had forfeited the nap to take more time for personal devotions before work, because my cheerful calmness that is such a crucial part of a successful shift was being sorely tested. I resolved to spend time praying while I worked on emptying washers, starting dryers, and hanging up clean garments.

I am so aware that my life needs to be a testimony for Jesus here, and I can’t afford to let my self get in the way.

I sent out a quick prayer request to a couple friends, and trusted God to somehow make a way through the chaos of the evening ahead.

A couple hours later, things were surprisingly calm. A singing group came in and boosted the residents moods so much that my job of emotional support person was greatly lightened.

After they left, some choir songs from Friday evening ran through my mind. I remembered that I don’t know yet which part I’ll be singing solo for “This Little Light of Mine.”

I hummed through all the days while I worked, and my thoughts reflected on the lyrics.

“Monday He gave me the gift of love…” I need Your love today, God. I’m feeling stretched thin.

“Tuesday, peace came from above…” Tuesday is my day off. That is always peaceful.

“Wednesday He told me to have more faith. Thursday He gave me a little more grace. Friday He told me just to watch and pray. Saturday He told me just what to say.”

All of them could be a personal testimony in some way. I don’t know which ones mean the most to me, so I’ll let the choir director decide which days I sing. Maybe the other soloists will claim favourite days.

It was later in the evening when I was thinking about the rest of the song, after the solos, when I suddenly thought about the 7th day of the week.

Sunday.

The day we all will come in on, and sing that line together.

“Sunday He gave me the power divine to let my little light shine!”

I looked at the time. Thought about all the things that had gotten done. Realized I had made it almost to the end of the shift, without losing my patience, and still feeling that love for the residents that drives me to giving them my best every day.

Earlier, feeling my tiredness and concerned that my human self would act up this shift, I had prayed, “God, please strengthen me so that my weaknesses won’t muddy the glass Your Light shines through! Let me be a clear flame for You, shining Your pure Love and Light, untainted by the temptations to be very, very human in testing moments.”

He answered.

I still don’t know which solo part I’ll have but I’m excited to sing the group part –

“Sunday He gave me the power divine to let my little light shine!”

Thank You, Jesus!