As Christians, we strive to bring honor and glory to our Lord. We want our entire lifetime to glorify Him and that lifetime starts with each new day. Whether we're spending time with friends and family, or doing mundane chores, or being studious in our studies we want God to be glorified in everything.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

So what happens when things just don't measure up to the world's standards? What happens when I get a C on a paper instead of an A? Does that mean I didn't glorify God enough or maybe there were steps I could have taken that would've have glorified Him more? Would getting an A on a paper, or doing the chores to perfection, or being an "angel" among friends and family mean that I'm glorifying God?

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Psalm 105:3

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Seeking the Lord and understanding Him brings glory to our Savior. He delights in lovingkindness and righteousness. This brings glory to God. Which makes it an issue of the heart. If my heart is in the right place, then no matter what I do, I will bring glory to God. If I try getting an A just to please my parents or to show how good of a student I am, then what does that do but glorify myself? Or what if I did my chores to a tee, yet my attitude is wrong, then what kind of glory have I brought Him? Or what about when I do good things just to please others and be accepted, where's the glory that belongs to Lord in that?

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. 1 Peter 1:22

A pure heart. That brings Christ glory. It's not the things in and of themselves that necessarily bring glory to God, nor is it how we do them (though that can play a part), but it's what our hearts and minds are doing while we do them. There is no such thing as glorifying God the wrong way - you either are or you aren't.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

God is always there for us when we need Him. That's incredible to think about. But there's something else that's amazing to think about. God's there for us even when we "don't" need Him. When all is good in our own little world, and things are going as we'd like, God's still right by our side. It can be easy to forget, especially when things are going well. Easy to forget how great our God is, how faithful He is to us. Unlike our circumstances, emotions, and situations God never changes. He's with us through the bad AND the good. God isn't a crutch that we use whenever we've sprained an ankle or broken a foot, for He is our life-sustainer. We are to seek Him at every time in our lives, not just when things get rough. So if you're havin' a hard time, then go to the Savior and let Him bring you through with His strength and comfort; and if you're havin' good times, then go the Savior and praise Him for His goodness and mercy. Ask Him to further your boundaries and draw you closer to Him during these sweet times.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ~Philippians 4:4

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

The darkness blankets the room, and only an outside, barn light penetrates the stillness, making the trees' shadows dance on the wall. A radio is softly playing some music, and a song called "Yours" comes on by Steven Curtis Chapman. The chorus makes my mind reel:

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything

That is an amazing thought. Everything is His. The mountains that I look at every day are His. The trees, sky, birds, insects, everything. But it also means that so is every moment and part of my life. Every fiber in my being, every beat of my heart is His. I belong to Him! That's how much He loves me.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalm 8:3-4