Have you ever had a really bad day? My guess is, yes, you have. I had one the other day. It was not even the entire day; it was just my morning – my time at church.

The morning began well, as I quickly picked up 15 dozen donuts before heading to church. However, in that three-minute drive from the store to church, it began to rain – not a light sprinkle, but a “coming down in buckets” downpour. Not wanting to end up dripping wet, I backed my car right up to the doors, carrying in the donuts with minimal drops on my head.

With the coffee percolating, I began setting up to find a different plan had been put in place. Being less than gracious to the plan, I quickly felt the Holy Spirit’s nudge that my responses were not honoring God. After a quiet talk with the Lord, I continued preparations before I headed to the nursery.

Normally I love my time of cuddling in the nursery, but several of our little ones were having a bad day too! With nursery duties coming to an end, I enjoyed assisting with refreshments but again was faced with a change leading to a disagreement. Little was going well, and I certainly was not making anything easier.

Arriving late to teach my pre-k class, I rushed in to hear the children were not behaving well. Wonderful! I started our time with prayer, trusting God to help our class run well, but the class was rough. We made our way through the Bible story, verse, and songs, but I came to the end discouraged. Nothing was going well.

After spilling coffee all over the floor, I finished cleaning up and headed for home. With dinner and dishes done, I did what I needed to do most – I gave myself a time out! I headed upstairs for time with the Lord. Working through my bad responses with the Lord, I realized that overall, it had just been a really bad day. Sometimes we have those don’t we? However, it did not have to stay that way. His mercies are new every morning, and my guess was His mercy and love would be there in the middle of my day to turn my bad day around.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

We all have bad days, but our bad days and bad choices do not cause God to stop loving us. His love is unconditional and steadfast. It never ends. He is always there to help us work through times that do not turn out as we planned. When our responses are selfish and unkind, the Holy Spirit gently convicts us of our sin with the hope that our repentance will lead us back to Him. He is faithful to offer us the needed grace for each moment, so we can do what we need to do and respond well, even when things are not going well. He gives us everything we need, and He stays with us in the midst of it all.

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

As I talked with Jesus, I remembered my bad day had a lot of good. I remembered the beautiful greetings, hugs, and conversations I had shared with many as I stood by the donut table. I had two heartfelt conversations and offered encouragement to some friends. I also had the wonderful opportunity to share a story from God’s Word with my pre-K class. God had met me in the midst, showering me with His love and grace. He met my needs through the bad parts as He instructed me, convicted me, and drew me close to Him. His mercies were there, even when I could not see them. He showed me the beautiful good in my day far outweighed the bad, restoring peace and joy to my heart.

Have you recently experienced a bad day? Maybe that day was today. Maybe your days have been rough for a while. Remember His mercies are new every morning and come throughout your day. Even when all around you is rough, He is in your midst rejoicing and delighting over you. He surrounds you with His love to quiet you and bring you to a place of peace. He will faithfully provide all the grace you need to walk through even the worst of days. Let Him meet you and show you good even in a bad day.