Eyes That Light Up

It was 116 degrees with the heat index this day.

Here in Tulsa, in just one week, we have moved from the temperature being in the hundreds to it being 57 degrees.  At first, I was a little dismayed.  I think going from an entire summer of well over 100 degrees then moving so quickly to the 50's means that our fall won't be the usual blaze of color that it usually is.  I know I've told you about the Linda Dillow study that I've been doing on "What's it Like to be Married to Me".  Part of the study entails wearing a Gripes Be Gone bracelet.  So, I was pleased that almost as quickly as I was pouty about the quick change in the weather, my thoughts immediately changed to the positive.  So the Gripes Be Gone bracelet must be working!  Or maybe, just maybe, my heart is changing.

Chilly rain

I'm finding that more and more, every day, I yearn, I search for the good in everything, in everyone.  I want my story to reflect lots of joy at the end.  I want those who remember my life to say that I always smiled, saw the good in them and celebrated life.  Don't worry, I'm not getting all maudlin here. I'm not reflecting on death. In fact, just the opposite. I'm reflecting on life and I wonder if we make it as joyous as it could be, or do we gripe and complain about everything.

I'm no ostrich with my head in the sand.  I've raised six children and I'm all too familiar with the trials and tribulations that go along with that!  But I'm also aware that joy goes along way towards making life worth living!  I'm not speaking of happiness here.  I don't believe that we can attain constant happiness.  But I feel that we can hold onto a quiet inner joy, no matter the trials life brings, if we understand that God sees us as valuable and precious and that He celebrate us throughout our life's journey!

My dad's joy comes from knowing that he is a child of the King.

I remember hearing author Toni Morrison once say, "Do your eyes light up when a child enters the room?"  I thought then, upon hearing those words, "If I have that deep inner joy that comes from knowing the love of God, then my eyes will light up whenever anyone enters the room."  Do you know that the Father's eyes light up when He looks at you!  When you are moving through the hard times and through heartbreak, if you've already been walking with Him, joy can shine through your circumstances.  He already knows the worst and the best of us.  He's seen the tests & trials.  He wants us to "do" life with Him every day, not just seek Him when times are tough.  As we learn to walk out our lives in His presence, we can filter all of life's "stuff" through that joy and peace that comes from knowing Him.

Do you have that quiet still knowing that your strength comes from Him in all things?  Are you taking Him with you throughout your days?  Have you found that joy springs out of you even in the midst of tough times?  I think I'm getting there.  I'm "doing life with Him" and it makes all the difference in the world.  My joy overflows and I'm at peace with my life, even if it goes from 100 to 50 degrees over night!

From His Lap,