Joy

Be Joyful always; pray continuously; and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

This has been what I consider my life verse.  After my brother Darren died it just really stuck with me as a way I wanted to live.  I remember someone in high school saying that I did not smile very much, and that really stuck with me, because I didn't want to be like that, I wanted to have Joy, the joy from Christ being inside me.  At that moment I decided I would make an effort to smile more, and it has stuck with me since. 

In College I remember hearing someone complaining that I smile to much.  Haha, I guess I would rather be on that end of the spectrum.  Good thing I decided to become a hygienist!

I feel like in the past year in a half I have forgotten that verse.  I tell my girls all the time, "you can choose your attitude," yet I am not always doing that.  I can choose joy in the midst of hard days, but often I am choosing frustration and self pity.

Hearing a song by Needtobreathe has really given me a new perspective.  Choosing to wake up and celebrate each day.  To open my eyes and see that each day is a gift. To get out of my slumber and muddy pit that I am dragging myself through.  That my children, all 3, are such joys.  That they make me laugh, they say and do silly things, the love me unconditionally!  My husband loves and serves me daily and does everything for me!  "wake on up out of your slumber and open up your eyes!"

Now I want to choose Joy, not being fake, because it is ok to have hard moments, but to be intentionally joyful despite of my circumstances.  Sometimes I just need to breathe