Appreciate Each Day

By Gracie Bonwich, high school student

Question

How can I make every week not seem so long and pointless?

Answer

Often, when school resumes on Monday, excitement and enthusiasm are far from abundant, and we might hope for Friday to be nearer. When we feel like this, a new perspective is often needed and would be quite handy. This is when it is time to take a fresh look at the week and turn to the first chapter in Genesis. The first week of creation was all about God giving good. We can see that every week can be like the first week, like a new beginning.

The first day was the beginning of light:

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good. (Gen. 1:3, 4)

So let's try looking at Monday as the "Day of Light." Rather than feel uninspired and burdened because it's the first day of the school week, we can express qualities of light -- such as intelligence, power, and happiness. Also, we can bring light to others by being kind and encouraging.

Heaven was created on the second day:

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament…. And God called the firmament Heaven. (Gen. 1:7, 8)

God created Heaven from below the deepest water all the way through to the highest cloud in the sky. Heaven is everywhere! Shouldn't we acknowledge this and live as if nothing could ever be wrong and nothing could ever die? So Tuesday is a "Day of Heaven."

On the third day, God created the Earth and the oceans:

And God said… let the dry land appear…. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas…. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so…and God saw that it was good. (Gen. 1:9-12)

Wednesday could be "Nature Day." This is a day to appreciate all of nature's gifts and the beauty of everything green and multicolored in the gardens. There's so much beauty around us, even in the middle of winter when the tones are gray, brown, and white. It's important to express gratitude for it.

God separated the night from the day on the fourth day:

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years…. And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. (Gen. 1:14, 18)

So Thursday could be called "Eliminating Darkness Day." We can focus on loving the sun, a symbol of light and life.

Director's Note: We can also appreciate the stars and the moon, which give us light at night. Isn't it wonderful that God never leaves us in the dark! We can dispel the darkness with light. If anything comes up to try to ruin our day or dampen our spirits, we can refuse to be saddened, frustrated, moody, or disappointed. Rather than focus on everything that's wrong at school or home, we can choose to see what's good about school or home or our friends.

Next, on the fifth day, God created the moving creatures:

And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Gen. 1:21)

Friday can be "Creature Day." On this day, we can observe every creature with the same loving eyes as their Creator. We can also see all creatures as living in harmony with one another.

The sixth day, God created man to have dominion over every living creature. He finished his accomplishment of creation:

And God made the beast … and cattle … and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind…. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth…. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Gen. 1:25, 26, 31)

So we could call Saturday "Expressing Dominion and Acknowledging Accomplishments Day." On this day, we can walk with confidence, overcome obstacles, and even climb mountains with our God-given abilities, strength, and intelligence. We should also be gentle with everyone, even every little sheep and all the creatures because we express the dominion, responsibility, and power God gave us. We should be grateful for all the good God has given us and for all that we accomplish through Him.

Finally, on the seventh day, God rested:

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it. (Gen. 2:2, 3)

Sunday is the "Sabbath Day." God blessed this day of rest because of all the work that had been done in the previous days. It's a day to honor God. It's a day to enjoy life and relax after working hard.

We can begin the new week with more understanding and new eyes. Each week, each day, is an opportunity for joy and new ideas. Spending time day by day exploring and noticing all of the good God has created will make the days seem so much more worthwhile and fun. Appreciating what's unique about each day of creation is a way to open ourselves to love and live in accordance to God's creation.