Have you ever had an Edith Day?
Edith, a mother of eight, was coming home from a neighbor’s house on a Saturday afternoon. Things seemed quiet as she walked across her lawn—too quiet! Curious about the lack of commotion, she peered through the screen door. As she did, Edith saw five of her children huddled together concentrating very intently on something. She quietly opened the door and crept closer. Edith could not believe her eyes. Smack dab in the middle of her children were five baby skunks.
Edith lost it. She screamed at the top of her lungs: “Quick children, run!” Each kid grabbed a skunk and ran.[1]
All of us have Edith Days don’t we! You know, the kind of day when something comes up that steals our joy, robs our peace, and sucks the energy right out of us. It doesn’t have to be a skunk in the hallway; it can be missing an important deadline, hearing the ugly crunch of a car accident, talking though a tough conversation, or the interrupting call that breaks the tranquility of a quiet Saturday.
If you are looking for help to get through an Edith Day, Isaiah has the answer.
O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:27-31 NLT)
The secret to overcoming an Edith Day is looking to the One who created the days. God sees your troubles. Implication: He knows about every skunk that crosses your path. God has more smarts than Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, and any super computer rolled into one. Implication: He can help you figure it out. God never grows weary! Implication: He has all the strength you need!
When you are just too worn out to walk, God promises wings to fly! And that’s great news for an Edith Day or any day!
STAY FOCUSED TODAY: Keep a calendar in plain view to remember that on an Edith Day or any day, God promises us wings to fly if we just rely on him.
I read this story from Chuck Swindoll years ago in a newsletter I received from First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California when he served there as pastor. I have never forgotten it.