Do You Know What Today Is?

A man was reading the newspaper early one morning at the breakfast table. His wife came over to him and patted him on the shoulder. She looked at him, smiled, and said, “I bet you don’t know what today is, do you?”

He looked at her and said, “Of course I know what day it is!” and went back to reading his paper. He didn’t have a clue but was afraid he would upset his wife since she was really sensitive about special occasions.

He thought to himself, “Is it her birthday? That must be it.” So after he got to work he called the florist and had a bouquet of white roses sent to his wife.

Then as the day went on, he began worrying that flowers may not be enough for such an important day. “What if it’s our anniversary?” So he went to the jewelry store down from his office, picked out a beautiful tennis bracelet, and had it special delivered to his wife

As he started home from work he decided that maybe he should also stop and buy an expensive box of chocolates to bring to her—just in case.

He pulls into the driveway and his wife runs out to greet him. As he gets out of the car and presents her with the candy, she throws her arms around him and says, “Oh, honey, this is the best Groundhog Day I’ve ever had!”

Yes, today is the day we’re waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to emerge from his burrow. It’s a North American tradition that if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of Winter. If not, Spring will arrive early.

Groundhog Day is made famous for the 1993 fantasy comedy film starring Bill Murray, as a cynical TV weatherman, Phil Conners, sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil becomes trapped in a time loop forcing him to repeat February 2nd every day with the exact same events until he finally figures out a way to break the spell.

The term Groundhog Day has become a part of our English lexicon to “describe a monotonous, unpleasant, and repetitive situation. Interestingly the movie has been analyzed by various religious groups who see it as an allegory with a deeper philosophical meaning.

While every day carries with it some elements of sameness involving work, family responsibilities, and routine chores, we need to be careful not to fall into the “Groundhog Day Syndrom” of feeling like we’re in a rut of repetition and monotony.

So how do we avoid feelings of weariness, tediousness, and boredom?

Ask yourself, “what is today?”

Then turn to Psalm 118:24 for the answer.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Today is a gift from God. It’s a day to enjoy His provisions. Thank Him for goodness. And rejoice for His bountiful blessings. Both materially and spiritually.

When we spend the day griping, fussing, and complaining we are disrespecting God’s gift to us. When we approach the day with fear, dread, and worry we are misusing the day God blessed us with.

Admittedly some days are better than others. We have days of joy and sorrow. Sickness and health. Poverty and riches. Good and bad. But today is all that we have. So, we must find a way to use it to God’s glory.

Regardless of today’s circumstances, what can I learn? About myself? About God? About life? Is there a lesson that God may be teaching me that makes today unique?

Regardless of today’s challenges, how can I grow? Spiritually? Mentally? Emotionally? Hall of Fame basketball coach, John Wooden, used to tell his players, “When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur.” Don’t miss today’s opportunity to grow.

So just for today, let me…

…Remember who I am.
…Thank God for who He is.
…Be kind to someone who’s been unkind.
…Think positive.
…Forgive others’ trespasses.
…Love God with my whole heart.
…Pause to pray.
…Meditate on God’s Word.
…Lend a helping hand.
…Praise a friend.
…Smile instead of frown.
…Tell a family member how much I love them.
…Remember the today is yesterday’s tomorrow.
…Seize opportunities to do good.
…Realize that today is my day, given by God, to be the best I can be.

Do you know what day it is?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman