I have a new 12 year old friend; she is a delight. On most Sundays and Wednesdays, we get to spend about an hour in the car together; just the two of us.

A few weeks ago, as she got into my car, I asked her how her day had been. Her reply was a huge smile and one word: “GREAT.” She said it with gusto and excitement. As we discussed her day, it all sounded fine, but, to be honest, I didn’t hear a whole lot of “great” in her list of activities. She then asked me how my day had gone. I smiled and replied, “It was a good day.” She didn’t reply; it was clear that she was thinking hard about what she would say next.

And then she chastised me by saying something like: “You shouldn’t say that your day was ‘good.’ ‘Good’ sounds like it was only OK; that it really wasn’t very exciting. You should reply that your day was ‘GREAT’ because every day is great…Well, almost every day is great. We have so much to be thankful for that we ought to say that our days are ‘GREAT’ days.”

She looked at me. I could tell that her speech had been made with the full understanding that I might not like what she had said. In previous conversations she had shared a little about her life. Her home current home situation is positive and she is doing well but that has not always been the case. She has medical problems that were caused before she was born – results of selfish acts of a parent. She has had social and educational challenges that are not of her own doing. She has a tiny body, smaller than most 12 year olds, and a small voice to match it. But, boy is her heart huge!!

I could tell that her passionate speech was from her heart. She believes in “GREAT” days not just “good” days.

I replied quickly and told her that she was absolutely right. My day had been a GREAT day!

• I am a Christian, loved by God and known to Him by name.
• I am an American, living in freedom and wealth.
• I have people in my life care about me.

My days are not just “good”– they are “GREAT” days!!

I have replayed her speech in my mind so many times since that afternoon. Her voice was stronger than her body; her wisdom was more valuable than a paycheck; and, her mind and heart were absolutely confident that each day she has is a GREAT day.

Tomorrow is Monday:

• Decide now.
• Purpose in your heart.
• Commit to saying, to believing, that your days are not just good days but that they are GREAT days.

Let’s learn this simple lesson from my young friend.

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“The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.” Mark 10:13-16