Some weekends my family have different expectations of what we should be doing. One person has a ‘to do’ list, another wants to go to the mall, another just wants to play, another sleep half the day away and so on. We don’t plan very well so our Saturdays can be frustrating as we all pull in different directions.

Thus it was this morning…and it was raining so we ended up at the mall with most other people in Fredericton! By years of experience we know that shopping all together is never a brilliant idea, but we still do it. It was okay. We wandered through the shops and bumped into people we know around every corner. That was the best part, seeing people. I like Saturdays to be spent with friends.

The one with the list got frustrated. By lunch time nothing on it had been struck off so we returned home to regroup and then disperse to do homework, play, work on the list or, in my case, bake.

Back to wandering round the mall though. Often when I’m in Chapters (book store) I’ll see a CS Lewis quote, on a poster or mug or something. It’s this one:

‘You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.’ – CS Lewis

I agree with this statement wholeheartedly, as long as the book is worth the read and the tea is Yorkshire Tea Decaf, but it always strikes me that that there are so many other brilliant quotes from CS Lewis that mean far more. The one used is a cozy, comfortable quote, that will neither offend or challenge anyone – perfect for a slogan for a teapot or mug in the middle of a book store of course.

This week I found a great one for me.

It is not your business to succeed, but to do right. When you have done so the rest lies with God. – CS Lewis

I like to be successful. I don’t like to fail. However if success is my goal then it can make me stop before I even start for fear of failing. I can think of all the reasons to disqualify myself as I don’t feel I have what it takes to succeed, when what God is asking is just for me to get on with things and to do right. I am not talking here of working to earn God’s favour. That’s a gift of grace, free and undeserved. This is what comes after, running the race that God has given, doing what God has called me to right now. Not trying to work things out before doing them. The outcome is God’s concern.

…just a little thought to end the day with.