Have you had one of those totally frustrating days when nothing you planned was accomplished? One partner did recently, but instead of falling into bed with clenched fists, she sought the Lord about it. Her testimony might help those of you who are fighting this type of irritation tonight:

"I'd gotten up early to tackle a giant work load. There were calls to make and urgent things to do. But just as I was getting into 'high gear' the doorbell rang. There stood a friend who, in the midst of an emotional crisis, just 'had to talk.'

"Inwardly I moaned, 'Oh no, not now! Why not tomorrow?' However, I covered my dismay and invited her in. When she finally left I wailed to the Lord, 'What a waste! The whole morning is gone and nothing is done.' It was then that He whispered something that changed my whole perspective. He said, 'Aren't you willing to leave the 99 to minister to one?' Suddenly His Word flashed in my mind":

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing" (Luke 15:4-5, NKJV).

"Granted, I did not have 99 sheep to care for; I had 99 calls to make and projects to do. But the principle is the same: There are times when the Lord wants us to leave the 99 of anything and go after one who has strayed. Then His 'plan for the day' will be fulfilled."

Heavenly Father, forgive me for losing sight of Your priorities. Keep me sensitive to Your voice, no matter how busy I am. Give me the courage to drop what I think is important and let You lead whenever I hear Your call. In Jesus' Name, Amen.