For over eighteen years there was one day that I looked forward to more than any other when it came to rest and time off. No, it was not Saturday or Sunday. It was Monday. While others longed for the weekend and loathed the thought of Monday, I was making plans for a day of rest or recreation. It was my day off, and unless there was an emergency to tend to, I protected that day with everything I had. No phone calls, no work-related problems, just my day. My only responsibility was writing this column and emailing it, and of course doing the honey-do’s that had been planned for me. Otherwise, I was free to enjoy this day any way I chose. For those many years, most of my hunting and fishing experiences came on that day. I loved Monday because most of the other outdoorsmen were back to work, which left the outdoors to only me. I can’t remember all of the times I would listen to a radio station on a Friday morning. The DJ would be encouraging his listeners to hold on for just a little while longer because quitting time was just around the corner and the weekend was near. For me, this meant nothing.
There’s no doubt we live in a world where people have different and even multiple days off. And even though the weekend will always be the days for the kid’s ball games, every day is somebody’s day off and can be enjoyed as if it were Saturday. In the same way, Monday doesn’t have to be considered a cuss word. The truth is, every day is a blessing from the Lord. David put it this way in the Psalms. “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Which day you may ask. This day. Today, whether it’s Monday or Saturday, raining or sun shining, cold or warm; this is the day the Lord has made. And it is our deliberate and determined purpose to rejoice in it. So today, start by giving thanks and then continue to rejoice that you have been given this day. Today, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park in the back of the parking lot, and wear your sunglasses in the rain; because as long as you have this day, the future is bright.
Gary Miller
gary@outdoortruths.org