Remember your Joy

The other day I was upstairs getting my 4 year-old son Elijah ready for school.  As we headed downstairs he says, "Mummy, let's go down like this!" and he proceeds to get on his bottom, sit at the top of the stairs and slide down one bumpy step at a time. 

He laughs so loudly and looks back at me, encouraging me, "Mummy c'mon!!! This is soooooooooooo fun!"

So realizing that this is one of moments I need to just soak up, I get on my bottom and start my bumpy descent down the carpeted steps of our humble little home.

And oh what joy I found!!!

Pure laughter filled our stairway corridor as we bounced from step to step.

"I'm gonna win Mummy!!!"

"Looks like you are son!!!", I replied.

"You betta hurry Mummy!!!"

"I'm hurrying son!!!"

As I reach the bottom of the steps, clearly in second place, I am greeted with the open arms of the most precious motherly blessing I've been given. 

Elijah hugs me so hard, gives me this big kiss on my cheek and says, "Good job Mummy! You didn't win but you still did good!"

I cry out with laughter and respond, "You're right, I didn't win but it's all good son!"

So what's my point?

My point is in the midst of life's trials, we might better find ourselves focusing on the good things, the joyful situation in our lives.  God's Word says to "think on those things which are good and pure".  We even find encouragement to "rejoice in the day" and count everything we go through, "Joy".

While at the top of the stairs, my mind was focused on the tasks at hand: getting E to school, the bills, my work day, my business, my sick aunt, my sick friend. 

And those things were still there once I arrived at the bottom of those stairs.  However...

...making the choice to focus on the joy, the blessings in my life, I was once again reminded that everythings gonna be all right and though I may not win, it's all good!

It's all good because God's mercies are new in our lives every day.
It's all good because I'm still alive, I'm still able to breathe.
I've got a glass that's half full and though I am in the midst of some rough situations, God will never leave or forsake me.
He's not brought me to this valley only to leave me but he's there to bring me through it and get me to the other side.

And you should know today that those are your promises too!

So today I compel you Gurls, to make the choice to be joyful.

You'll be glad you did!