For many years, even before I became a pastor, Sunday was always a very special day.
I lived in a rural community in Pennsylvania, and when I was growing up there were “Blue Laws, ” meaning no business was open on a Sunday.
In those days, Sunday was focused on church, gathering as a congregation and worshiping the Lord. Then came Monday and everything was open again.
Because of that, Monday always has been the beginning of a new week even though there are no “Blue Laws” now and many things are open 24-7.
But even after all these years, it’s still hard for me to get my week started. After a wonderful weekend, I now have to get back into my routine. I guess as you get older, it’s harder to return to your routine after a couple days off.
As I was pouring a cup of coffee Monday morning, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, came into the kitchen and said, “I’m sure you’ll get something done today.” She then burst into laughter making me realize even my coffee breaks are a comedy show, at least for her.
That sparked a thought. What if I don’t do anything today? After all, I am retired, so I do have charge of my time.
But even if I take Monday off, I still have to do the work for the week. That means my Tuesday is crammed with catch-up work. The only catchup I like is on my hamburger.
I took a deep sigh, leaned back in my chair, and said to myself, “Self, you gotta get to work and get’er done.”
I can’t remember a time I really listened to myself. I’m not sure today is going to be that time. Just as I was putting it all together, Martha came to the office to remind me of an appointment with the dermatologist on Thursday.
Of course, I didn’t remember that, and it changed everything I was working on. Doctor appointments can eat up a lot of my week. I don’t like going to the dermatologist because they always get under my skin.
So if I get Monday’s work done today, the rest of the week will be more doable. The harder I work on a Monday, the easier the rest of the week will be. If I slack on Monday, it’ll be terrible.
As much as I enjoy Sunday, I don’t enjoy Monday. But I do know it does prepare me for the Sunday that’s ahead. So I start working no matter how long it takes, and finish Monday as best I can.
Little is more satisfying for me than finishing the tasks of the week. That’s my goal, and most of the time I reach it.
Thinking on this, I was reminded of what the Apostle Paul said.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
— Ephesians 5: 15-16
I confess I often procrastinate. Every time I do, it costs me and makes me look foolish. Paul encourages us to “redeem the time.” Solomon understood this when he wrote:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
— Ecclesiastes 3: 1
This is my challenge every Monday as I start a new week.
Dr. Snyder is a former pastor who lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, in Ocala, Fla. His email is [email protected].
