Of hard and easy days

With my WPY volunteer friends, on a short visit to the Philippines.

As I was washing the dishes one day, I began thinking...

Why is it that I'm always so much closer to God on the days when it's hard? The easier days when I don't have as much to do, or I can actually try and relax a little bit, is when my hold on God seems to loosen. I know that trials bring us closer to God, and I am learning to appreciate them for that purpose. But what of the days of peace? Why don't I connect with Him as well during those times? How can I change those days so they're a benefit instead of a hindrance?

Then another thought:

That's what praise and thanksgiving are for. 

I'm supposed to simply trust and hang onto God on the hard days, praising Him just the same. But on the seemingly easier days (when it's actually spiritually harder!), I can use that space to thank Him for all He's done in the harder times.

"We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history" (RH, October 12, 1905).

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

Photo credit: Erick Juanich