JOY!

I have had the intention this 2010 year to be focused on cultivating joy in my everyday life. I loved the message Pastor Bob did at EBC on joy, I think I could listen to it everyday and gain new perspectives each time. When I opened up my blog reader this morning and read this entry by one of my favorites, Jennifer Silvera (if you haven't read her book Believe, you should pick it up immediately). I read her words and it was like she was looking right into my heart...

My unexpected time at home has been such a blessing that God has whacked me upside the head with. I love it. I do. I will say though that Mondays are tough. I am still trying to find our new normal and rhythm. We miss Heath when he goes to work on Mondays. I have heard from other stay at home mommies that this is common. I woke up today with a sour disposition. No reason really. Just a Monday. Maybe a lack of sleep as I stayed up too late reading a book and Rowan was up before the birds. I escaped for a few minutes to check my computer and am so glad I did. I need the DAILY reminder of her blog entry. About joy being a choice. I can choose to be sour and frumpy and whiny or I can choose JOY! So I did what she asked, looked for 2 things beyond the typical answers. Here was my joy filled Monday:

*My dear friend Tina came by to just hang. No agenda. No planned activity for the kids or destination or timeline. Just hang time. We have done this more and more while she has been on maternity leave with little Nora and let me tell you, I treasure this time in our friendship so much. The kids set up a toy store in the basement, played on the hill, napped, went for a walk, ate lunch...we found plenty to share with each other in conversation. We may or may not have also looked up Mr. Shuester (from Glee) and started following him on Twitter.

*Then like a cherry on top of that sundae, Becky made the trip up from Iowa (Chanhassen) just for the afternoon. She needed out of the house and we gladly welcomed her. It was fun to see sweet Clara, catch up IN PERSON (not via computer) and enjoy the sunshine.

*The weather today was top notch. The kind of weather I want to bottle up and open in the middle of January.

*Brevin and Anna created a toy store in our basement. It was the grand opening. Everything was free. Seeing Anna direct Brevin to take something to aisle 10 in their "store" brought me right back to my childhood. The time of make believe and fun summer days.

*I was able to escape for a walk with a past co-worker and eat ice cream. Seriously, who can't find joy in ice cream and good conversation?

*In walking to the mailbox with Brevin we met Lynn and Annie. Lynn is probably in her 60s and Annie is her 12 week old puppy. Before we knew it, we were off to Lynn's house to see how she had remodeled her kitchen. She was a dear lady that made my heart warm and fuzzy. Plus I liked what she did with her kitchen.

*I picked up a fiction book yesterday. I forgot how much I love reading fiction books as it has been awhile. I feel like I am 10 again...Babysitters Club books, reading with my flashlight, can't put it down...love this.

So in search of two things in my day, I found way more on this ordinary Monday. Choosing joy today completely changed my sour disposition. But not to one of outwardly obnoxious unicorns and rainbow happiness, but a heart bursting with joy, thankful God gave the gentle reminder this morning.

The part I struggle with is how to cultivate this heart bursting joy daily, why is it so hard for me? Why do I need daily reminders when I have so much joy in my everyday life? 2010 is half over and I need to continue to keep my focus on Psalm 118:24.