From Frustration to Joy

Today was such a beautiful day. It started all wrong, but ended beautifully.

Sundays are very busy for me. It’s the day I spend the entire day at church. The church I attend and serve has two services: one at 11:00 am and another at 4:00 pm. I serve in both.

Today was Baptism Sunday. Since we are a small church, we use one of those inflatable pools. Once a month, when we have baptisms, we need to assemble everything in the morning and then take it all apart at the end of the day.

As one of the church elders, I oversee a few ministries, including baptisms. During the week, I usually talk with volunteers and organize who will help set up the pool and everything we need.

So by Saturday night, in my mind, everything was ready for Sunday morning.

Then Sunday came… and Daylight Saving Time started.

My alarm went off at 8:00 am. I thought I hit snooze, but I actually turned it off. I woke up again at 8:35 am. I needed to leave my house by 9:00 am to be at church by 10:00 am.

So yes… I was already late.

I got ready in record time, ran out of the house by 9:10, and arrived at church at 10:05. Record time, honestly.

I opened the church doors, turned on the lights and… surprise.

No pool. Nothing ready.

I called the person responsible for setting it up.

“Hey, what happened? Are you on your way?”

“I’m running late. I’ll be there around 11:00.”

Great.

So I ran to get the pool box, inflated the pool, connected the hose to the sink to start filling it, and went around checking the other ministries to make sure everything else was ready.

By the time I stopped to pray a few minutes before the service started, I was already stressed and frustrated.

When I started praying, I was basically complaining to God.

“God, why do people lack commitment? Why do I have to do everything? Why, why, why?”

And then I felt the Holy Spirit gently reminding me of something I often say to friends and people at church when they come to me overwhelmed:

“Acalma o coração.”
Calm your heart. It’s not the end of the world.

And in that moment, my prayer changed.

Instead of complaining, I started surrendering.

“God, forgive me for complaining. Cleanse my heart. I surrender my frustration and stress to You. Serving You is the best thing I can do. It is a privilege and an honor.”

As I worshiped and surrendered my heart, something shifted inside of me.

Suddenly, I was filled with joy.

Joy for the people who were about to be baptized and saved.
Joy because the Holy Spirit is gentle, loving, and tangible.

And we ended up having two powerful, Holy Spirit–filled services.

So no matter the circumstances—whether there are hundreds of people helping or it’s just you—when you serve the Lord with a pure heart, because of who He is and not because of what He can do for you…

That’s when our worship becomes pleasing to Him.

I am exhausted tonight.

But my heart is full of joy.

_ “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”- Psalms 100:2

{Road Reflection:
Where have you seen God today, even in the middle of ordinary moments?}