Reflection
Another kids’ show and book series that is popular in our house is Pete the Cat. Pete is a chill, music-loving blue cat who goes about living his life and playing music with his band “The Resolutions” with his friends Grumpy Toad, Callie Cat, and more. In one particular episode, Pete’s friend Gus (short for Gustavo) has some big talk about sledding down Big Hill on a snow day, but when it comes down to it, it’s only talk. Unfortunately, he dodges his friends and wastes his time, so by the time he IS ready to go sledding, the snow is melted and there really isn’t enough time to take advantage of what was an awesome opportunity to have fun with friends.
It’s a lesson learned about “Seize the Day.”
There’s a cute song Gus’s dad sings in which he says, “seize the day” multiple times…
Later on in the day, after seeing that episode, I hear Aspen (my 4-year-old) singing “and sneeze the day! Woah, oh, oh. Yeah, sneeze the day!”
I didn’t even correct her, it was too darn cute!
For the purposes of this devotion, I’m reminded that life is inevitable. I’m a person who usually feels a sneeze coming like a slow burn. I have to just freeze for a minute and embrace what’s about to happen, and then it’s a cluster of them in short succession. When I was younger, I used to keep my sneezes as small as possible, just squeeze my eyes shut and let as little noise out as possible. I’ve learned to just embrace the sneezes and cover them well by sneezing into my elbow with long sleeves or some other method of muffling. Why bother holding it in?
When I feel an opportunity within reach, there have been so many times I’ve not reached out, not even tried. I kept myself as small as possible. I look back and wish I had just embraced the sneeze.
“Take advantage of every opportunity… sing and make music to the Lord with your heart.”
When an opportunity to do good comes along, I try to take it. I seize the opportunity, even if it’s as small as offering a compliment to a stranger, or bigger like giving an extra donation to a worthy cause, or reaching out with an idea to our new church that might be a cool something worth giving a try. I’ve learned that there’s no harm in trying something new and taking advantage of an opportunity, even if it doesn’t actually pan out. It’s okay to take advantage and sneeze the day.
by Ashley Bowler-Polhemus
For Pondering and Prayer
Ephesians 5 talks about “taking advantage of every opportunity.” What are some small, everyday moments where you’ve seen God open a door for kindness, encouragement, or creativity? How did you respond?
Just like sneezes can’t be held back forever, what are some ways we sometimes try to “hold back” from living fully into God’s Spirit—whether through fear, hesitation, or busyness?
Pete the Cat’s story reminds us not to miss out on opportunities. How can we cultivate a mindset of gratitude and readiness so that we’re prepared to “sneeze the day” when God presents us with a chance to act?
Lord, thank You for the gift of this day and for the opportunities You place in front of us. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may live wisely, speak encouragement, and make music in our hearts to You. Help us not to hold back out of fear or hesitation, but to embrace each moment with gratitude and courage. Teach us to ‘sneeze the day’—to live fully in Your will, giving thanks in all things. Amen.
