Well, hello, friends!
This morning I woke up and was delighted that I did not have any immediate need to launch out of bed. Woo-Hooo!
And then I remembered my commitment to read, write (with markers!!), listen, pray and post my Bible verse daily through January 31 (at a minimum). And I got even more excited.
And then this verse was at the top of the pile:
Double Woo-HOOOOO!
Every time I see this verse, I cannot help but sing it in my head. Here’s a rendition of it I found on YouTube with happy photos playing while kids sing, if you’re interested. Warning: This joyful song will then be stuck in your head for hours!!!
So now that we are all singing, it’s time to get on with the SOAPing…
Scripture:
This is the day the Lord has Made;
Rejoice and be glad in it!
-Psalm 118:24
Observation:
I think this verse is saying:
Hey, yo. This day has promise. The Lord made it. Seek the joy in it and relish it!
Application:
I already told you that when I read this verse it always makes me hear little kids singing it in my head. (And that is a good thing, people.)
So here I am, all joyful, and then I thought about yesterday.
So yesterday I got official notice about a something awesome that my company achieved. This was a BIG DEAL after years of working on it and lots of money spent. And (WOOT-WOOT) I held the real live proof of all that work in my hot little hands. I was jumping up and down, texting my husband, my parents…. you know the drill. I was one happy girl.
And then something frustrating happened. And my joy went right out the window.
Aaaaaarrrrrggggghhh. No bueno.
It’s not critical that you know what that frustrating thing was. But it was frustrating nonetheless, and it is a repeated frustration and potential heart-breaker in my life.
I let that frustrating thing steal my joy, as it has many, many times.
And that was NOT cool.
Later in the evening I was thinking about how I let that happen. Yes, I LET that happen.
I decided that I did not want to let that happen again.
I decided to be stronger about it, because, you know what, more things are going to frustrate me– big ones and small ones. I cannot control that. What I can work to control, though, is how I respond to those things.
I’m sick of letting frustrations bring me down. I really want to end that… or at least make a commitment to try harder at stopping that. (That’s a more achievable, forgiving goal for awhile.)
Then, this morning, THIS is the verse on the top of the deck. Seriously, how cool is that?!
The Lord gives us our days. They may have pain in them, but we can also choose to seek and celebrate the joy in them.
There’s all this scientific data out there that says gratitude journals help with depression. I think that makes sense. (OF course it doesn’t matter what I think. The data speaks for itself. But, whatever.)
Those who take the time to seek joy and recognize it and journal it find more joy.
Yep, tragedies and irritations still happen. But those with gratitude journals fare better mentally.
I just started a gratitude journal December 26. I don’t have any set rules of how many things I should record each day. Instead it just sits on my desk, waiting, and I’ve begun to add things here and there.
I want to rejoice and be glad in the days God has given me– and make it through those funky, hard times.
It is up to US to seek joy. It’s there, all around us, to find, identify and enjoy. Or to leave alone and allow ourselves to be pulled down into a bog.
I’m not saying things that bring us down don’t have merit. I’m not suggesting we just hide sadness and put on a happy face. Listening to those icky feelings and responding to them certainly has merit. Those things need to be dealt with, too. But I don’t want those things to define each day. I want to seek out the joy, too. It’s there.
Today, I’m going to try a bit harder to REJOICE and FND JOY and build up that savings account of joyful thoughts so I can call on it when I really need it. And then I’m going to do my best to do the same tomorrow.
Wanna join me?
Here are a few entries for my gratitude journal for today:
- This Bible verse! (I’ll write it out there again.)
- The realization that I CAN choose to seek out joy and my determination to do that.
- The quiet, soothing rain outside of my window this morning
- That I’m back, blogging again.
- That you are here, reading MomsToolbox
Prayer:
Father God,
You are awesome. I love that this verse was on deck for today, especially after that realization last night.
This is the day that you made. It’s a gift from you. And I am going to rejoice and find the joy and gladness in it. And when frustration tries to creep in, I’m going to reach out to you for help in keeping my cool and finding the joy.
Please, Father, guide all those in the pits to see a ray of sunshine and smile, and cling to that gift. Help them to then find another ray of sunshine and find joy amidst their struggle. And please, Lord, help me to do the same when frustration hits.
I love you, God.
Thanks so much for standing by me and whispering good things in my ear for me to cherish.
A few things to think about…
What did you do the last time your joy was stolen?
Wanna do some preventative maintenance on that or share your helpful techniques, if you have some? (Please share if you have ideas that work for you!!! See those comments down there…)
Have you ever tried to keep a gratitude journal?
What are some things you can be joyful or thankful about today?
Thanks for joining me today. I’m thankful for YOU being here! :)
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