Making Misery

I am having a great morning here at home. Did school with my daughter and played lincoln logs with my youngest. Middle boy has spent a lot of time on daddy's lap this morning. It has been a good morning! As I enjoy the morning and just relish the joys of my life, I think about others I know who are not so joyful. There are some who find joy hard because of circumstances beyond their control. Disease or accident or others malfeasance has caused them struggle. Even then, some who deal with these things are able to find joy in the Lord despite these situations. Then there are the rest. I see so many people today who do not live lives of joy by choice. They make poor decisions and don't like the results. They hold on to anger, hurt, disappointment, and strife. They get frustrated with those around them that are different and hold on to bad attitudes. Rather than celebrate the blessings, they focus on the shortcomings. Allow me to illustrate. Read the first paragraph on this post again. That is my picture of this morning. Would it surprise you to know that I also have had to change a diaper, mediate several disputes and deal with a screaming child? Probably sounds pretty normal. It is, but what I am focused on this morning are the blessings of God in my life and the joy that they bring. I'm not going to complain that the rose has thorns, I am going to rejoice in the sight and smell of the rose. So how about you? Do you have a tendency to make yourself miserable? Do you blame others for your misery? How often are you fixated on the negative, on the problems, on that which does not conform to your will? Stop making misery! God has placed many blessings and opportunity for blessing before you. Make the right choice, not the self serving choice. Let go of anger, hurt, and disappointment. What is God giving you today? If you live in my area, it is a beautiful sunny day outside. There is a good start! (Closing note: While writing this, I've had to deal w/ one more dispute but got four kisses from my youngest. Life is GREAT! I pray you chose joy today!)