For today, I choose JOY

Life can be heavy. We all usually have something weighing on us, whether it is big or small, it can be heavy. It can keep us up at night, and really affect other parts of our life. This is fear getting in the way of our faith. Fear causes anxiety, worry and stress. This is when we have to reach up in prayer and tell that fear to move over, and tell God that we know he has us, and our family, in his hands. Pray for strength, courage, for others, and to find the joy in life, amidst the heavy and painful. It is OK, and really soothing to find the JOY in the middle of the heavy. Give the heavy to God and trust that he is in control. Then you can focus on the JOY for the day. Ask God to fill your heart with JOY and help you to notice every bit of JOY in the day.

This morning I said over and over, asking God to please fill my heart with content and JOY and take this anxiety and worry away. Help me to find every bit of JOY in the day today.

The day became so relaxed and joyful, because I reached to God and let him take the heavy….despite the grumpy kids, despite being late to church and despite the lack of sleep from the heavy that had been on my mind the night before. I looked for the JOY and I found the JOY.

I found the JOY in….

…holding my little girl’s hand as we walked into church.

…the stranger’s face that smiled at me as we walked into church very, very late.

…hearing her voice from the back seat say, “can you please turn up the music?”.

…big hugs from my big boy.

…pure laughter from my kids as they watch junkie television.

…sitting quietly with my mom and a cup of coffee.

…my little girl’s sweet smile.

…forgiveness.

…everyday grace.

…just hugs and smiles are enough for me.

…giving someone encouraging words on their journey to better health.

…someone giving me encouraging words on my journey.

I recently read that the happiest people have the lowest expectations and the shortest memory. So very true. Happiness and JOY are always available. We just have to look for the JOY and choose the happiness.

The priest said today at church, that we should never feel helpless or not needed. There is always someone that we can give JOY to. There is always someone that is needing of something, even if it is just a smile, a hello, an “I know how you feel”, or a “me too”.

For today, find the simple JOY and spread the simple JOY. It is a choice.

Enjoy today.